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Search forPublic inquiry to be held - over Norbury shutter
Friday, August 01, 2008, 07:00
The argument between the Norbury Foot Clinic and Croydon Council has reached a stalemate and the Government has ordered an official review.
Chiropodist Shuja Qureshi has been told by the council to change his shutter because it is “out of character” with the area - even though neighbouring businesses have identical shutters.
But the frustrated 49-year-old insists removing the secure front from his business on the London Road will make his customers' private records vulnerable.
Now, after 17 months of squabbling, thousands of pounds looks set to be spent on a public inquiry to finally resolve the matter.
Mr Qureshi said: “It's ludicrous that we have got to this stage.
“I thought a public inquiry was for things like the third runway at Heathrow or multi-million pound projects - not for shutters.
“There's lot of other things that this money could be spent on, it just seems daft.
“I'm at the centre of something that I don't really want. I have never done anything illegal.
“All I want is a quiet life and to get on with my work.”
The problems for Mr Qureshi started in February 2007 - three years after he says the shutter and its box were put up - when the council told him he needed planning permission.
He applied, retrospectively, but the application was refused.
While his patients pleaded for some common sense to be applied, the council maintained it would not change its decision.
It cannot force other businesses in Norbury to take their similar shutters down as they have been up for longer than four years without action being taken.
This is the timescale within which a local authority can take action in such matters.
Mr Qureshi is hoping the inquiry will put an end to the situation in his favour.
He added: “I've been through a nightmare for the past 17 months but I feel I need to stick by my principles.
“I have spent hundreds of man hours on this and it has taken over my life.”
Mr Qureshi has more than 400 signatures backing his protest and some of his patients have even spoken about chaining themselves to the shutter.
In the last calendar year Croydon Council says there have been 40 hearings and public inquiries around planning application and planning enforcement appeals.
These range from new housing developments to the Gateway site by East Croydon train station.
Ian Clark, trees and enforcement manager at Croydon Council, said: “Many hours have been spent by council officers explaining how this breach of planning control could be resolved.
“Mr Quereshi has now exercised his right to appeal the decision which will now be dealt with by the independent Planning Inspectorate.”
After the Planning Inspectorate has heard both sides present their case a decision is likely by early next year.
OPEN AND SHUTTER CASE?: Shuja Qureshi outside Norbury Foot Clinic
CCRFB070508D01 by Fergus Burnett
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