Wanstead residents wanting to object to individual applications for market stalls on Wanstead High Street have been told by council officials that they now have no right to object.
Previously residents were told that although the policy which would permit up to nine permanent stalls to be sited on the pavements in Wanstead was already decided, people would be able to object on an individual basis to specific applications. They have now been told this is not the case.
One Wansteadium reader who wrote to object to an application for a juice bar outside Oxfam was told:
Members of the public cannot make “formal representations” on these street trading applications in the same way that they can under the Licensing Act 2003 or Gambling Act 2005. Under the Council’s Street Trading Policy, only the authorities listed in section 6.2 are entitled to lodge formal objections to street trading applications.
…
The previous wording on the website about “how to comment on applications” was removed before the applications went live, precisely to avoid creating a legitimate expectation that the street trading process offers the same public representation rights as alcohol, late-night refreshment, or gambling licences.
It now appears that objections can only be made through councillors. It is not clear how, apart from scouring planning applications, people will know what proposals are being considered.
In addition it seems that the grounds on which ANY objections can be raised are limited to a specific set of grounds, namely:
* nearly shops already cater for the proposed goods
* the proposed goods would adversely affect the area
* false statements by applicant or previous misconduct or revocation of previous licence or failure to supply particulars
* insufficient plans for storing goods
Redbridge Borough Council has been asked for comment.