11:19am Thursday 18th March 2010
By Mark Chandler
A FURNITURE-MAKER says he fears for his business after a warehouse company won its appeal to demolish his store.
Big Yellow’s plans for a storage warehouse on Lewisham Way, Brockley were rejected last August by a Lewisham Council planning committee, due to concerns over loss of employment from the seven retail units which would be demolished.
But that decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate following a public inquiry in January.
Barry Yarde, who manages Axion furniture makers, one of two businesses left on the site, said he was “stunned” by the decision.
He said: “I’ve been on tenterhooks for the last six months and now we’re not sure what the future holds. Obviously we’ll have to move out but new premises will cost us a fortune.”
Mr Yarde, who employs six other people at the shop, has always said he was not made aware of the plans until the day of the planning committee meeting, despite Lewisham Council saying 183 consultation letters were sent out.
He said: “It’s incompetence, in my opinion, that nobody informed us.
”Ideally we’d stay in the borough, but the way we’ve been treated I don’t feel like I owe anyone any favours.”
Ward councillor Cllr Darren Johnson said: “I’m deeply disappointed. We’ll see jobs being lost there at a time of recession in favour of a storage warehouse that’s not going to generate employment.”
Big Yellow property director Andrew Watson pointed out there would still be capacity for three businesses on the site.
He said: “The current businesses’ leases are protected. If we serve notice on them they’ll receive statutory compensation."
Mr Watson added: “We’re very pleased with the inspectors’ decision, which is in line with council officers’ original recommendation.”
Lewisham Council will also have to pay as yet undisclosed costs.
The company has previously made seven unsuccessful applications for a warehouse in Baring Road, Lee, but won another appeal last May for a similar building at Westhorne Avenue, Eltham.
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