Lushi’s Lounge, in Fairview Parade, Mawney Road, has had retrospective planning permission refused by Havering Council.
In October last year, Mr Erjon Lushi submitted a retrospective application for the change of use from a pharmacy to a “cafe, drinking establishment and lounge”.
According to council documents, the development had already been completed and the site at 3 Fairview Parade was being used as a cafe and lounge without planning permission.
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The application has been refused due to concerns over “noise, disturbance and odour” which was deemed “detrimental” to the living conditions of nearby residents.
According to an officer report, the application received multiple objections.
One of these objections came from a councillor who expressed concerns over “insufficient parking due to unapproved front extension” causing “increased car traffic and parking issues”.
He also noted “noise disturbance reported by residents living in Olive Street and Mawney Road, as well as Marks Road”.
Additionally, he claimed that the submitted plans “do not reflect what is currently on the site”.
Another objection came from Romford Civic Society who claimed that the “bulk of structure would have a negative impact on the street scene and the projection would be detrimental to pedestrians”.
Lushi’s Lounge features a front extension which was the source of multiple objections (Image: Google) The officer report said: “Site photographs of the application site as well as Google street view show that the site benefits from a front extension.
“This is not shown on the submitted plans and was the subject of a separate planning application that was refused by the local planning authority (LPA) and is currently the subject of an appeal.
“The fascia signs at the site were also the subject of a separate application that was refused by the LPA and is currently the subject of an appeal.”
Another issue which was raised in an objection from a Havering Council public protection officer was the use of the premises “for smoking and shisha”.
A council report said that Lushi’s Lounge “generates a high level of activity and noise particularly at the weekends, in the summer months and late at night given its location within a parade that is not characterised by other drinking establishments but instead predominantly features retail uses”.
It added: “Noise from patrons entering and leaving the premises and the likelihood of patrons congregating outside on the footway” is likely to cause “additional noise and nuisance” for the residents upstairs.
Lushi’s Lounge did not respond to a request for a comment.
