Camden New Journal
Publications by New Journal Enterprises
spacer
  Home Archive Competition Jobs Tickets Accommodation Dating Contact us
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
By SUNITA RAPPAI
 

From left, Pankaj Shah from Henry’s Newsagent, Tina Bill from Soap Opera and Atul Kantaria from Hill Pharmacy in Winchester Road
Shopkeepers lose fight as plan gets the green light

‘Keep you word and give us back our shops’ urge angry traders

SHOPKEEPERS in Swiss Cottage have lost their battle to save their businesses from demolition.
The shops in Winchester Road, including a newsagent, a laundrette and a pharmacy, were earmarked for removal after a proposal by developers London Merchant Securities (LMS) submitted to planning chiefs in December.
LMS wanted to knock down the three-storey 1960s building housing the shops and build three new buildings offering up to 73 flats, including 23 affordable homes.
But the proposals caused an outcry among traders and residents who argued the removal of shops would be disastrous for the community. They submitted more than 200 letters of objection and a petition opposing the plans.
In a report to planning chiefs in February, officers said that it was “beyond the powers of the planning process to protect individual types of shops”.
Despite praising the “significant benefits” of the scheme they recommended bosses reject the proposal because of its impact on light for neighbouring properties.
But on Thursday, councillors decided to vote against officers’ recommendations and gave the development the go-ahead.
After listening to a deputation from the scheme’s architect, Michael Squires, urging councillors to accept the proposal, Labour councillor Dave Horan said: “We are in danger of losing a very good project. I was going to abstain but I am going to vote in favour of it.”
Labour councillor Anna Stewart, executive member for finance, added: “Clearly the affordable housing element of the scheme has to be welcomed.”
Traders told the New Journal they were disappointed by the news. Pankaj Shah, who has run Henry’s Newsagent in the parade for 24 years, said: “Our fear is that once we close this place it will be very difficult for us to come back.
“There has been a lot of talk that LMS will help re-locate us and bring us back here but they have not sent us any details yet.”
Tina Bill, from laundrette Soap Opera said: “We are hoping the developers will keep their word and give us back our shops. The shops are the focal point of the community here.”
Atul Kantaria, from the Hill Pharmacy said: “If we don’t get alternative accommodation we will have to close down. It will be very difficult for me to re-open if that is the case.”
A spokeswoman for LMS said: “Until we actually got planning permission we could not offer anything definite.
“We will now be in contact with the traders to discuss the next steps. They are being offered space in the new development and we are looking at the possibility of relocating some of them.”
 
spacer
» A-Z of Theatre
» Local Reviews
» Local Listings
» West End Reviews
» West End Listings
» Theatre Tickets
» Theatre & Hotel Packages













spacer


Theatre Music
Arts & Events Attractions
spacer
 
 


  up