Robust response urged on Chillingham Road curry club plans (Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats)

Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats <info@newcastle-libdems.org.uk>

Robust response urged on Chillingham Road curry club plans

December 1, 2009 2:35 PM
Originally published by Greg Stone

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East and councillor for North Heaton Greg Stone is supporting local residents who are strongly opposed to plans to convert the former British Legion Club into a curry club. Publicity has recently been distributed advising of plans to reopen the premises later this week as a "private members dining club" - mysteriously open to the public - offering Indian cuisine.

The owners already operate Indian restaurants elsewhere in the city and would effectively appear to be proposing a similar operation on this site, despite their failure to secure planning permission or licensing approval. There have been several previous attempts to circumvent the regulations relating to this property, including controversial proposals for a "student study and cultural centre" taking the form of a student bar, which attracted strong opposition from residents, the police, the local primary school, and councillors, which led to the application for licensed premises status being withdrawn.

Cllr Greg Stone commented "There has been a long history relating to this building, and it is clear that the owner is determined to operate commercial activities from it despite the strong objections of local residents and the concern of the planning and licensing authorities.

We have made urgent representations to the council's licensing department pointing out that the proposed operation contravenes planning approval and building regulations, as well as operating without a legal club license.

We will continue to back residents who are understandably alarmed by the owner's failure to take on board the concerns of themselves and of the council in this matter, and want to see enforcement action taken against any breaches."