Anger over Horley cafe bid (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Anger over Horley cafe bid

10:15am Friday 16th May 2008

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A CAFE owner has hit back after a rival business set up nearby without planning permission.

Dave Dove, owner of Dove's Cafe in Station Road, said he had no objection to competition but was upset that Dijo, a Portuguese delicatessen, opened a few doors away in September last year without gaining change of use consent.

Planners refused an application by the owner, Joao Figueira, and architects RDjW in January. The application was resubmitted last month along with 315 signatures from local residents urging the council to reconsider.

Mr Dove said: "I have been here for 30 years but I didn't object to the fact that they were going to open but they went in there without planning.

"I do not begrudge anyone else a living - it's just the way it's been done. Their planning permission was refused and now they've submitted it again, this time with the support of the community - which they are entitled to do.

"My business has suffered since they have been there. I can't say how much, but it has - especially in the general sandwich trade."

A decision on the resubmitted planning application is expected by the end of the month.

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