News reports located on this page = 2.

2 Letters to Editor:- "Application to Sefton M B C for a Premises, Entertainment and Alcohol Licence at Orrell Hill Lane. Hightown."

"I would like to object to the above licence application on the following grounds:- Concern regarding increased crime levels, antisocial behaviour, noise pollution, traffic congestion and damage to natural and physical environment. The events would be out of place in such a small area of countryside, reducing the peaceful attractiveness, disrupting the quality of life in the local communities, possibly resulting in fall in property prices. We are losing our green belt piece by piece. Festivals are also known to have direct local environment impacts on flora and fauna of the area. Bat emergence is known to be hampered by noise and they will leave the area. There are, unfortunately, never ever enough toilets or bins at festivals, I won't elaborate on the result of this, but all detrimental to the wildlife. Having lived near a festival site before, have seen the upset it causes. Thank you for reading my concerns." Yours sincerely, Eileen Forrest, Ince Blundell (Full address provided.)

"I would be most grateful if you could publish the letter outlined, hopefully in brief, the following letter. An application has been made to Sefton Council for an licence for Premises, Entertainment (Live Music, Recorded Music, dance, films etc) between the hours ofa 11am to mid-night, and alcohol licence between the hours of 12 noon to 11p.m., 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It appears, from the plans shown, to be an open-air performance venue, as I did not see any bulding plans, but it was extremely difficult to find out anything, as the website address given in the council letter did not work. Although I won't suffer nearly as much as the nearby quite village of Ince, even in Formby, we will hear these 'entertainments.' If we actually want to have open windows, or enjoy our gardens. I object to this development in a rural setting. I also object to any licence being granted for that site on the grounds of common sense and safety. There appears to be grossly inadequate parking space available with an application for 5000 People. The site is on a narrow country road, where parking will restrict it to a 1 way flow, although it is only yards from a major set of traffic lights that are already a site of traffic delays, especially after accidents. There are no public transport services past this site. I doubt that residents of the nearby quiet village want revellers attempting to use the 2 an hour bus service after performances, and those travelling home by railway, at Hightown, will have to walk along an unlit country road with no pedestrian path. If any of your readers share my views, email:- Licensing@Sefton.Com." Yours faithfully, N Harrison, Formby (Full address provided.)

Editors note:- "AS far as we can tell, any objections to the Licence Application Ref:- 'M032868' for Orrell Hill Wood, Orrell Hill Lane, Hightown, L38 5DA, had to be in to Sefton Planning Department, by the 6 March 2019. In reference however, to the question raised with us, by N Harrison; on the information you gave us, via phone, the notices are standard and displayed like this normally. (Please see accompanying photos) We agree that they are not easy to see and the location makes it very hard to notice them. We also agree that this method of notification is outdated, as is the reliance, by Sefton MBC, on its website, as its main way of informing people about planning and other issues. It seems that on this occasion, people feel that they have had inadequate or obscure notification, thus depriving those potentially affected, of sufficient time to respond and raise their concerns. Sadly, this is the way the current planning system works in England. We will be asking Sefton Council for a comment for you and also finding out if their is any move to change this."

Largest Independent Craft Gin Festival is coming to Liverpool

HELPING Constellations go out with a bang, Gin Fever will take place on 12 April and 13 April 2019, with 120+ gins and will take full advantage of the industrial setting in the heart of the Baltic Triangle; a space known for hosting some of the best parties, festivals and events.

Entry to the event includes:-

► 2 Drinks Tokens.

► Gin Fever Goblet.

► Gin guide and events programme.

► 10% discount in our online shop.

► Masterclasses.

► Unlimited gin sampling.

► Access to Independent food traders.

The Gin Fever Festival started in 2018 when Gin Festival Limited went into administration, leaving the independent venue with a space in their calendar. The Sheffield venue, which runs from community support, would have been missing the valuable engagement that the event created had it not been for Roister. Roister, headed by Vic and Chris, has been formed with a vision of spearheading a number of high end, well executed food and drink based events across the North while supporting, local independent venues, distillers and food operators. With Constellations being in their last year of operating before being demolished to make way for a residential development, it only seemed fitting that Roister host 1 of the biggest independent Gin Festivals there.

The main hall will host an array of gin suppliers, creating a stage for local independent distillers from within the Region and bigger well known national producers. All sampling and providing information about their delicate distillation processes and fabulous gins. A series of 9 masterclasses will be hosted by distillers over the course of the weekend to include topics on gin production and distillation and cocktails. If you're here for a good time, not a long time then why not head to the Courtyard and outdoor terrace for various listings on the cocktail bar and live music. Let's not forget that this where some of Liverpool's, and the UK's best street food vendors will be pitched up bringing you the grub all day.