AFTER three years and more than £10,000 spent trying to close a coffee shop down, the district council is considering a u-turn.

Epping Forest District Council has been attempting to place an enforcement notice on Caffe Nero, in Epping High Street, ever since it discovered it was trading outside its prescribed use as a retail outlet in June 2006.

The following three years have seen planning applications refused, an appeal rejected, and even a High Court battle between the coffee shop and the Government, all agreeing that the outlet was operating outside the terms of its original permission.

But now the council has decided to let councillors speak for the first time on whether they want Caffe Nero to stay.

Principal planning officer Stefan Solon said the u-turn was made because of the change in the economic climate, the recent opening of a coffee shop in Theydon Bois, and public outcry at the possibility of losing the shop.

He added: “It’s unique because the circumstances are unique. We have not had such a massive reaction previously.”

The district council has spent £11,500 in its attempts to close the shop down, even hiring a private consultant to fight its case at a planning inquiry.

Chairman of Epping Town Centre Partnership Barry Seager said: “If the situation had been dealt with at the beginning then we wouldn’t have got this. I think the council felt it had to make a point. It should have been dealt with a long time ago.

“I can quite understand both parties really. Personally I think if it’s being used by a lot of people, I’ve no objections.”

Lib Dem group leader Jon Whitehouse who sits on the area planning sub-committee, due to decide on the potential reprieve next Wednesday, May 13, said he welcomed the opportunity for members to comment.

He added: “It’s a slightly bizarre situation. A lot of people at the time were concerned and are concerned that Epping is losing a lot of traditional shops.

“We are now three years on and it’s right that members should have a say on whether the council goes down the route of enforcement action.”