Building works at Dulwich Halal Grocery

[EDLily]

Does anyone know what's happening with the construction at 21 North Cross Road? This used to be Dulwich Halal Grocery.

There has been construction boards outside for years and looking at the Google street view image history the works have been going on since at least summer of 2022. 

It must be a massive project. Anyone know what the end result will be, or when the works are expected to complete? 

[Sue]

38 minutes ago, EDLily said:

Does anyone know what's happening with the construction at 21 North Cross Road? This used to be Dulwich Halal Grocery.

There has been construction boards outside for years and looking at the Google street view image history the works have been going on since at least summer of 2022. 

It must be a massive project. Anyone know what the end result will be, or when the works are expected to complete? 

I've been wondering the same, as I haven't seen any builders there recently.

As you say, the work there had been going on for years, but it never seemed to get any nearer completion, and it looked like the cellar had been excavated.

Once there was concrete being piped  in, but that was possibly a few years back.

I miss the grocer. They used to sell good quality garlic and ginger, really cheaply.

[alice]

If you are that interestedlook on southwark planning site

[Sue]

Just now, alice said:

If you are that interestedlook on southwark planning site

Do you have a link?

[EDLily]

58 minutes ago, alice said:

If you are that interestedlook on southwark planning site

*Edit - I was searching under the wrong postcode! Looks like there have been a number of applications with this being the most recent: https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=REHHVIKBH7P00&activeTab=summary

I can't work out which application is being built, but I hope it's staying as a retail premises!*

Previous comment:

I did look before posting but I couldn't see a planning application for 21. If you have the link please send it on - would be interesting to see what is being built!

Edited November 16, 2025 by EDLily
Found the link I was looking for

[Sue]

That's interesting.

I assumed it wasn't going to stay as a retail unit, given the years of ongoing work.

I assumed it was going to be either an extension to the mosque or a residential building.

[Penguin68]

59 minutes ago, Sue said:

or a residential building

The permission covers two properties, the retail unit and a first floor flat, so it is in part already a residential building. There appears nothing in the documents to suggest change of use, which I don't think would be classed as 'minor' which this is. 

[Sue]

7 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

There appears nothing in the documents to suggest change of use, which I don't think would be classed as 'minor' which this is. 

Sorry, I'm confused.

What is?

[EDmummy]

I had a peek when a door was opened the other day. I saw a large open basement (no floor at shop level) and stairs to 1st floor. The basement appeared to be across both buildings but it was the quickest of looks so I may be wrong. It may also be that the ground floor over the basement has not yet been put in place. 

[EDLily]

3 hours ago, EDmummy said:

I had a peek when a door was opened the other day. 

Oh interesting. I wonder what the plan is there. It sounds like there's still a lot of work to do if the shop level floor isn't in place yet!

 

[Penguin68]

16 hours ago, Sue said:

What

I was referring to the most recent planning permission for the site which is described as 'minor'. Had it implied any change of use that would not be minor. Which would suggest that the only residential aspect was the existing first floor flat. Which is linked in that application because of the shared footprint between the retail site and the flat. The permission is to do with a tree on the site. As I recall. 

[Sue]

40 minutes ago, EDLily said:

Oh interesting. I wonder what the plan is there. It sounds like there's still a lot of work to do if the shop level floor isn't in place yet!

 

That floor hasn't been in place for a very very long time, if it's still not there!

I wonder if some structural problem has been found, or if they have run out of money?

[CPR Dave]

Not much progress on this recently. It's a total eyesore. 

[Sue]

42 minutes ago, CPR Dave said:

Not much progress on this recently. It's a total eyesore. 

Well, it's hardly an eyesore!

There is loads of building work going on locally, at least this is covered up.

[CPR Dave]

Hardly! The awning is half hanging off and it looks like it's about to collapse between the two upstairs windows. Looks awful and it's not clear there is construction "going on" there now.

[alice]

 I think the Galleon on Dunstans Road beats that. been work in process for 5+ years. 

[Sue]

56 minutes ago, CPR Dave said:

Hardly! The awning is half hanging off and it looks like it's about to collapse between the two upstairs windows. Looks awful and it's not clear there is construction "going on" there now.

If you are that bothered, why don't you ask the people at the mosque what the situation is, and let us all know?

🤣

I live round the corner and I hadn't even noticed an awning, let alone one "half hanging off".

If you think it's a safety hazard, that's a different issue, and one they may not be aware of, in which case you should definitely let them know.

Edited 20 minutes ago by Sue
Adding info