Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Haringey Planning. Corrupt? Underfunded? Or just a bit sh*t?
We have, yet another, application in to convert a retail space into an A3 (restaurant) on Green Lanes.
It currently operates as a Turkish cafe (their definition, not mine).
What is interesting is the history of the planning applications for the shop and recent changes in the area.
In 2012, the operator applied to change it to an A3. He was refused permission for the following reason:
The proposed change of use from A1 to A3, due to the existing low proportion of A1 uses in the primary frontage of the Green Lanes Town Centre, would further undermine the vitality, viability and predominately retail function of the centre. This would be contrary to Policies TCR3 ‘Protection of Shops in the Town Centres’ and TCR5 ‘Restaurants and Cafes, A4 Drinking Establishments and A5 Hot Food Takeaways’ of the Unitary Development Plan 2006.
At the time the operator of Selale had this to say in his opposition to the application:
"... I am trying hard to survive given the current economic situation where all businesses are suffering and I do not need a rival there that can destroy my business with an A3 use there... this letter has already caused anxieties for me as I have been trading there for years now, and if necessary, I will take this further to stop any application for A3 use around my shop"
This from the fella who, just two months later, applied to extend his shop and create an A3, and was given permission to do so.
Just two months after the Council had said that such changes would ..."further undermine the vitality, viability and predominately retail function of the centre."
And now he's been given permission from the Council to remove another of his neighbouring retail units and turn it into Selale's bar.
So, the Council thought that the proposed change for No. 7 Salisbury Promenade from A1 to A3 would be detrimental to the area.... but happily allowed No. 2 and No.3 to be converted.
Can anybody explain this?
I'd suggest that the answer lies in one or more of the questions posed in the title.
In the meantime, get your cheap-meat-trough bib on... looks like diverse Harringay is getting another kebab shop.
Tags for Forum Posts: Kebabs, Kober, Korruption
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I recommend reading "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" if you see what local businessmen really want out of their council (hint: it's not regular rubbish collections).
I did not think it was a suitable objection for a businessman to say he doesn't want competition. Of course he doesn't but that's not how the market works.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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If that is true, it's a disgrace. Councillors should not take advantage of their privileged position to support commercial enterprises. The more I hear of this woman the less I like her.
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A good councillor ? Some time ago she was chairing a meeting of the Council Transport Group when she took a phone call from her son, who had locked himself out. Instead of telling him " Tough, I'm in a meeting, you'll have to wait. " she abandoned the chair and shot off. Not the only time she has placed family before civic duty.
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Permalink Reply by Mavic Starfish on
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Thanks for posting this. If Selale do manage to block it the planning dept will have a lot of explaining to do? This part of the high street is already looking very generic, and I can't help thinking that it's going to be monopolised by a few big operators. Snap up the leases at the top of West Green Road whilst it's still unfashionable. Very soon the tsunami of Turkish restaurants will be lapping the edges of Ducketts common - not great for variety
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Permalink Reply by Michael M on
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It is my understanding that change of use rules have been changed at government level. From May of last year business premises with A1 usage were allowed to change to A3 without planning permission for a limited period of up to two years. (See http://tinyurl.com/mguopvu and http://tinyurl.com/m77m9gv).
I think it was economic stimulus ill-conceived! After two years they have to apply for full planning. But in practice I am not sure what the point of that will be...not sure how likely it is that the council will close down a business after two years of operating in a different use if it is successful and employing people.
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Doesn't Michael's post suggest that the planning department was simply bound by the new rules? I'm not sure I understand your point.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon Curtis on
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Agreed! Mangal2 is one of the funniest feeds on twitter.
Aren't most of the restaurants on GL already ocakbasi, I asked a Turkish guy at work and he said it just meant bbq?
Is interesting how different the Harringay/Hackney restaurants are (hate to say it but haven't found one as good as Mangal/Testi here, though Hala runs them close) *ducks and runs for cover*
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Hugh - not much :)
The onions in pomegranate/turnip molasses, the offal and the salads.
I mean they're both still basically selling grilled meat and chicken, but seem to have a slightly different approach which is consistent to each area. So for example all the Harringay ocakbasi restaurants seem to serve the red bulgar wheat(?) side as well as the rice, but I've never seen it in the a Hackney restaurants. Ditto gozleme (which are excellent at Hala!)
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