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This is just what they do! They do not have planning permission and a legal notice has apparently been served. They will continue to trade regardless! I know it sounds crazy but there you go. I guess they bank on the fact that local planning departments are slow and do not like conflict. In this case I believe they will continue to trade until Southwark Enforcement ?get around to it?. All the local Councillors were at the planning hearing and know the situation!

Cafe Nero is trading without Planning Permission! On the 1st March East Dulwich Planning Committee decided to NOT grant them a change of use permission. What does this mean? well it means that they have been operating illegally for over 6 months. Legal Action has been enforced through the Council but, to date no enforcement. The Unitary Development Plan (the document by which the long term vision for the area is formalised) states that the mix of shops, restaurants, bars etc. on Lordship Lane should be of a certain proportion. This is to ensure that it does not become overrun by bars etc. Currently any new application for a change of use (in the case of Cafe Nero this is change of use from retail (it was formerly an electrician) to cafe/bar) to will break this mix. Cafe Nero has a long history of doing this in the UK. Flexing their might against the local planning departments. They did not even send a representative to the hearing ? merely a folder where they have done this previously, arrogance? We shall see how East Dulwich fares! If it is not enforced it sets a precedent and we can soon be expecting McDonalds and other multi nationals to disregard the planning process and open regardless of the Council..............steam rollered by the big boys, where do we go from here! Just thought you should be aware.