|
NEWS: October 2018
Co-op withdraws its licence application and does not open a store
We have been informed by Camden that the Co-op has just withdrawn its licensing application for Belsize Village. They have also surrendered the licences that were assigned to it from XO. Cllr Cooper and I are very pleased with this outcome says Councillor Maria Higson, Hampstead Town Ward.
Councillor Maria Higson says thank you to residents that objected, especially with such clarity and detail. All of which would have no doubt been informative to the Licensing Committee if it had got to it, and thus presented difficulties to the Co-op in pushing through its audacious attempt to flout ordinary licensing conditions.
The Co-op said: “We have talked extensively to local people and while there are a range of views we do not now believe we’ll achieve the necessary consents required to successfully open and operate a store which will serve the needs of the whole community. Therefore we will not proceed with the store.”
Campaigners in Belsize Village celebrate the Co-op's decision to pull out of opening a shop in the former XO premises
photo: Polly Hancock |
A Co-op would have destroyed Belsize Village already under threat. A new store would have adversely affected Crescent Fruiterers, the Late Late store and Ronis Deli as well as other businesses. Every day huge delivery trucks would have congested our small roads, especially in conjunction with the school traffic. Many residents wrote to Camden to object and help safeguard local traders' businesses.
More details of campaign and photos here
See also Ham&High: Locals worry new Co-op could ruin life in Belsize Village as shop eyes former XO site
and Camden New Journal: Concerns for the local fabric of Belsize following Co-op purchase
Belsize Village Launderette also under threat
A planning application has been lodged with Camden Council to turn the launderette on Belsize Lane into a shop, and a similar application affecting the launderette on England's Lane which is owned by the same company.
You may wish to lodge an objection which you can do by visiting Camden at camden.gov.uk/viewplans. The application number is 2018/2824/P.
|
