A THIRD attempt is being made for outdoor seating at a Largs seafront pub - five years since the last plan was rejected after a furious response from locals.

J.D. Wetherspoon has lodged an application with North Ayrshire Council seeking permission for 10 tables and 20 chairs on the prom outside The Paddle Steamer.

A similar application, also for 10 tables and 20 chairs, was rejected by the local authority in 2019.

Previous proposals, for 10 tables and 40 chairs, in 2017 were also opposed, and later withdrawn, leading to the scaled-back application being lodged two years later.

But the 2019 application was refused after NAC officials said it would have a "negative impact on the movement of users of the promenade, causing localised congestion with pedestrians, cyclists and other users".

 

The new application states that the furniture would be placed on the prom outside the pub between 8am and 10pm.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: A picture of how the tables and chair would look if the proposal was given the green lightA picture of how the tables and chair would look if the proposal was given the green light (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

However, during spells of harsh and wet weather the furniture would remain indoors.

The application also says the tables and chairs would not be put out during periods of greater footfall such at the Largs Viking Festival.

Five years ago, when the previous plans were lodged, Largs Community Council (LCC) said they suspected Wetherspoon's were looking to provide an outdoor smoking area.

Jim Perman from LCC told the News at the time: "This is certainly not needed on the prom and would have adverse impact on the attractiveness of the area."

 

Seven objections were lodged to the 2019 application, one of them from LCC.

Wetherspoon's suggested a condition which would prevent the use of the area for outdoor seating during the three "busiest summer months", but that wasn't enough to stop the council refusing permission.

 

READ MORE: Controversial plan submitted to extend Largs Wetherspoons pub

The latest proposals from Wetherspoon's would see the area of the prom available to the public reduced by around a metre in width, with the pub seating area enclosed by canvas barriers.

A supporting statement submitted alongside the new application states: "During periods of clement weather it is customer preference to sit with a drink and or/meal outside, and the additional seating will provide this option to a greater clientele of the Paddle Steamer. 

"Particularly with being a seaside town, and the wonderful views offered at this location, there is always a greater demand to sit outside."

The application paperwork says the pub's manager met an official from NAC's roads department and with North Coast councillor Alan Hill on March 8 to discuss the proposal, and that the proposed seating area was set up to allow a visual assessment.

The supporting statement says: "All agreed that a substantial depth of the promenade would remain."

Council officials have set a 'determination deadline' for the application of Saturday, June 15.

To view the application visit North Ayrshire Council's planning portal at eplanning.north-ayrshire.gov.uk and search 24/00324/PP.