Plans by a South Liverpool cricket club to stage a series of events in Sefton Park during the close season have been met with opposition.
An application for a premises licence has been made to Liverpool Council by Sefton Park Cricket Club (SPCC) for a multi-function event site in marquees between September and January 2023 on its lower field near Mossley Hill Drive. The club is asking the council for permission to stage plays, film, live and recorded music, dance and other similar activity every day from 10am to 11pm.
The licence would also allow the club to sell alcohol from 10am to 10pm daily, with opening hours of 9am to 11pm. It is understood by the ECHO that one of the events the club is looking to host is a fan zone for this winter’s football World Cup in Qatar between November 17 and December 18.
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The club is also said to be looking to stage an Oktoberfest event from September 28 to October 2 on its private land as part of the popular park. However, the proposals have angered hundreds of members of the community who have now launched a petition opposing the plans.
The petition, which has been shared online, said: “We are concerned about the impacts this will have on the park and the surrounding area. “Large numbers of people will bring with them parking and traffic problems, litter, noise and, as alcohol will be licensed for sale from 10am to 10pm, the increased possibility of anti-social behaviour.
"The site is close to a local school which uses the park for PE lessons, so having events involving alcohol a short distance away, taking place during school hours, will impact children. The noise will affect wildlife in the park, especially creatures which will be hibernating. It will also impact the plant life in this part of the park and other birds and animals that live there.
“This is part of Sefton Park, which residents are used to being able to enjoy for quiet relaxation. This will be impacted by the events.
They added: “We are concerned this event will set a precedent for using the park as a place for private businesses to make money, rather than the enjoyment and wellbeing of everyone in Liverpool. We are working hard to force a rethink by the cricket club and anyone else who is involved in the decision making relating to these events.”
A spokesperson for SPCC has defended the application for the licence and its decision to look into staging events during its close season. The spokesperson said: “Nearly all amateur and professional sports businesses now look to obtain income from the close season, like Liverpool FC staging concerts, and Sefton Park Cricket Club is no different.
“If the local community wish the cricket club to keep providing coaching, facilities, and equipment for our senior and junior members we must look at obtaining additional income, of which hosting events is one option we have been looking at exploring.”
The spokesperson added that the club was making contact with all relevant stakeholders and all events would take place on private land, with no damage anticipated to trees or bushes. Representations on the licence application can be made to Liverpool Council until August 19.
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