Nightclub owner seeks judicial review over permission for change of use

The owner of a well-known nightclub in Brixton has instructed barristers at Cornerstone Barristers to bring a judicial review over a planning decision she says will lead to the club’s closure.

Lambeth Council last month (16 September) granted planning permission for a change of use for the building in which Club 414 operates, from nightclub (sui generis) to A1 retail and residential.

Louise Barron, the owner of Club 414, has instructed Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers to bring the claim.

The set said the grounds of challenge would include:

• The consultation on the planning application attracted significant levels of public interest, yet the grant of permission was made by officers under delegated powers;
• Whether the loss of the existing nightclub use was a material consideration which should have been taken into account by the council; and
• Whether the issue of noise impacts from surrounding licensed premises was dealt with properly.

A decision on permission has yet to be made.

Cornerstone Barristers said: “Club 414 pioneered the night-time economy in Brixton, having opened shortly after the Brixton Riot of 1985. Having laid the foundations for the many thriving bar, club and restaurant businesses in Brixton, Club 414 has now been added to the list of the many historic Brixton businesses at risk of closure, as the area is transformed and property prices rise.

“The outcome of this case will be of great interest to owners and operators of licensed premises, lawyers dealing with the overlap between licensing and planning law and, of course, to the many thousands of guests and supporters of Club 414 from Brixton to Brisbane.”