Plans to turn church into nightclub set to be thrown out

Objectors are concerned that Christ Church, owned by London-based entrepreneur Yung Dan Liu, will lead to noise pollution, increased littering, and cause house prices to plummet.

Residents have expressed concerns that doorways of nearby homes will be “used as a toilet”.

The town council said Maryport already has a lot of licensed premises, and the proposal would not benefit the economy of the town.

They claimed that there is not enough room in the building to hold 400 people, nor to include a celebration room, kitchen and bar area.

The church was closed in 2013 and has remained empty ever since, with initial discussions of the plans being welcomed.

But subsequent plans to also turn the church into a nightclub have sparked 19 objection letters.

Concerns focused on anti-social behaviour and noise amid fears that there won’t be enough police to deal with the issues arising from the development.

Cumbria Police stated that the plans have “failed” to show that the building would be fit for purpose as a nightclub, or that anti-social behaviour had been taken into consideration.

Police have also acknowledged residents’ fear of increased crime in the area.

Many have questioned whether the historic Early English-style church could hold 400 people, and the report notes the application does not include catering facilities despite being proposed as a wedding venue.

Four letters have been received in support of the plans, suggesting it would provide jobs and “add some more life” to the town, while also saving the derelict building.

And planning officers said they would support “any sympathetic scheme that secures the long-term survival of the church”, adding that the applicant has not proposed to make any changes to the outside of the church.

Despite this, it is concluded that a nightclub would have an “unacceptable impact” on the streets surrounding Christ Church, with the recommendation that Yung Dan Liu’s plans be refused.