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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Walking past the shop on the corner of Falkland Road the other day, I paused to ask the workmen busy converting the shop what it was due to become. "A cafe", I was told.

Then this morning the planning apps list hit my inbox and I noticed this same premises on the list. It seems like it's due to become a bar open till 01:00hrs.

Good news or bad?

I've invited Falkland Road resident Cllr David Schmitz to comment.

Full application here.

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Has anyone seen the inside this place? I walk past it daily and it looks to be the cheapest, tackiest bar in a five mile radius! I probably wouldn't have had objection to a traditional type pub but it’s a multi-coloured strip lighted monstrosity. But, speaking seriously, does anyone know why it is taking so long for a decision to be made on the planning application?

I have just submitted a complaint to Planning Enforcement at Haringey Council as it is my understanding that you cannot commence works prior to planning permission being granted: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/housing_and_planning/planning-main...

Will wait to see what the response is...

I shouldn't count too much on that. The planning committee forbade the use of the Queen's Head for any other use than a pub, then the Council stood by and watched as it was made into a furniture store.

I'm not sure that it was a volte-face - it was either a case of the Council being hamstrung by the law or Haringey lassitude, or a mix of the two. I offer it by way of warning. It seems to me that you really need to keep on your toes and keep the Council on theirs if you're to progress planing enforcement issues.

This afternoon I spoke with Lionel Harper, the Enforcement Officer charged with reviewing (but not approving) this application. He has been assigned the case and will be reviewing the application in the first week of February. He indicated there had been a restructure in the planning department, but that doesn't really explain why this application hasn't been looked at since September.

Lionel will be reviewing the application for change of use to A1. Additionally, as a result of the changes to the building (installation of shop front, roller shutters), the council has ordered the owner to submit a retrospective planning application. Supposedly this is no guarantee that planning permission will be obtained. If an application is not made within 14 days, legal action can be taken.

As I understand it, the council cannot stop the owner from starting work on the premises (it is not a criminal offence), but they do advise not to begin work until planning permission is given. In this case, structural changes have been made to the building, hence the enforcement application requirement.

I urge anyone who objects to the application to write to the council or submit an objection online (link below Hugh's post). Protesting at the gaudy strip lighting is not good enough; consider rejecting on the grounds of adverse effects on residential amenity i.e. close to homes, noise, antisocial behaviour, litter, waste.

In support of Nicholas' last paragraph above, we do need to object to the development on solid grounds; "I don't want a bar at the end of my road" isn't a particularly strong argument sadly.

If anyone hasn't objected to the application yet then it is worth looking at the Haringey Unitary Development Plan online to see what the council's policies are on waste, noise etc and whether the proposed development goes against them. It is a long read but I certainly learnt a lot from it!  

I have also been advised that we should lobby the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Haringey with regards to the alcohol licence application as the police can have sway with that.

We would use the same issues as with the objection to the planning application but focussing more on the impact it would have in terms of crime, safety and anti-social behaviour in the area: http://content.met.police.uk/Page/TeamFinder?scope_id=1257246763951

My (admittedly limited) experience of objecting to planning applications is that citing our UDP can be futile. Planning officers are well aware of its contents but seem to treat these policies as a non-binding guide only, from which they can cherry pick or simply make exceptions on feeble grounds. It often appears to me, anyway, that deals and decisions have already been made in consultation with applicants before applications are made public.

So my opinion is that it’s just sheer numbers of objections which really count – especially if there is so much hue and cry that an application comes before elected representatives in our planning committee instead of the decision being delegated to a planning officer as usual.

The application has been withdrawn from the council's website without any explanation.  I'll call the planning officer next week for an update on the situation.

I have spoken at length with the planning officer and have been advised that the application has been withdrawn. This is due to the owner and his agent submitting the incorrect application; the owner wishes to principally serve coffee to the passing morning and evening trade but will also apply for a liquor licence. No food will be cooked on the premises. I believe this will be change of use from A1 to A3.

Whilst I remain sceptical, we will have to wait and see what the new planning application entails. The owner has been given two weeks to re-submit the application as he also needs to lodge a retrospective application due to the changes to the building (installation of new shop front, roller shutters etc).

Hmm, well done on getting the information Nicholas. I am sceptical too as I wonder about what is going on behind the scenes. Ho hum, time to wait now.

New planning application here. There does not appear to be a retrospective application with regard to the alterations to the building, perhaps because the owner has incorporated his changes into the "existing" elevations?! (The elevations diagram in the first application was accurate.)

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