Inconsistency in planning permission on the high street
Last week, one of the coffee chains won a battle to open in Pinner in Harrow, a decision that has brought about mixed opinions and seemingly revealed the strength of the chains on British high streets.
The chain had originally had its planning permission for the shop in Pinner rejected by Harrow Council, however, the company appealed against the council’s decision and won.
An investigation by a leading newspaper has added further cause for concern, after revealing that the move to open without planning permission in Pinner was not a first, and the fact that this is at least the eighth occasion on which the same company has done so in the UK shows that it is unlikely to be the last.
Similar cases in Hertford and Brighton have seen local councils refuse change-of-use applications, only for the chain to have the decision overruled on appeal. The chain has also opened new stores without permission in Cardiff, Lewisham, and Manchester, as well as two in Edinburgh.
Asked about the situation and the concern expressed by locals about the new openings, the chain’s communication manager described the planning laws for coffee houses in the UK as “complex” and indicated that local planning authorities often interpret the guidelines in different ways.
With many high streets in the UK is disarray following the recent economic downturn, it may be argued that local authorities are exercising greater discretion in granting retrospective permission for outlets that open without formal planning consent, in an effort to populate otherwise empty premises.
It can only be hoped that the same discretion will be afforded to independent operators who do not have the benefit of a substantial corporate legal team.