UK: Illegal Shisha Lounges To Be Demolished by Council

Source from:  24dash.com 11/04/2014

Two illegally constructed shisha lounges are to be closed down and demolished by Newham Council.

The operation, led by the council's planning enforcement team, will see the smoking cafés, built by two brothers without planning permission, pulled down in Plashet Grove, East Ham.

The council had previously issued enforcement notices to Sajid and Minhaz Patel, and officers had repeatedly returned to warn the leaseholders but they still failed to comply.

After issuing final warnings in July, the council will now begin pulling down the illegal dwellings and removing pipes, coal and flavourings which are used for smoking.

Councillor Ian Corbett, mayoral advisor for environment and leisure, said: "In Newham we have a zero tolerance approach to Shisha lounges. These illegal establishments have been built without planning permission and caused significant disturbance to other residents. They are being razed to the ground today by Newham Council.

"These premises have shown blatant disregard for residents' and clients' safety, and health. The Shisha lounge buildings were a hazard to all and much of the smoking took place in poorly ventilated areas.

"What made these men think they were above the law is beyond me, let this be a warning to others trying to skirt around planning laws to make a quick buck, Newham Council will be checking you have the correct planning permission and licences and if needs be, we will come after you with bulldozers and legal papers too." Enditem