COUNCILLORS fear they may be powerless to stop the illegal opening of a new high street cafe.

Bexley Council's planning committee agreed to issue an enforcement notice against the owners of a Cafe Nero in Sidcup High Street.

Alterations have been done to the former post office to turn it into a cafe, which is almost ready to open, but it does not have planning permission for a change of use.

Sidcup councillor June Slaughter, who has been pressing for action, was disappointed a stop notice had not been issued to prevent the cafe from trading.

And although enforcement action has been agreed, if the company appeals, it can continue until its appeal is decided.

Cllr Slaughter said: "The simple fact is the owners will appeal and this situation could go on for another year or two."

She claimed the cafe was one of several attempting to open in the High Street without permission.

Cllr Slaughter said after Budgen's, which contained the post office, closed, the owners had told her of their plans to open a coffee bar.

She said she advised them to contact the planning department about the proposal.

However, the next she knew about it, work had started on the conversion.

She said: "People will find it difficult to understand why action was not taken sooner, as it was obvious it intended to open as a coffee bar."

Planning officers explained a stop notice could only be issued to safeguard public amenities or safety or because of irrevocable harm to the environment, after an activity was under way.

A stop notice cannot be issued until the cafe is open.

The council has promised to monitor the situation.

But Cllr Slaughter added: "The residents are worried and the shopkeepers feel badly done by."

The cafe's owner Nero Holdings Ltd has now applied for retrospective planning permission.