THE PENTECOSTAL church which took over the former cinema at 25 Church Road, Crystal Palace could face legal action by Bromley council.
Bromley council’s planning department say Kingsway International Christian Centre have failed to respond to a notice requiring further information about the use of the premises.
Now planning officers intend to discuss the next stage with council solicitors, which may include issuing a planning contravention notice.
The department’s comments follow a request for further information following our December 29th story headed “KICC PLAN NEW YEAR’S EVE ‘PRAISE’ EVENT IN CINEMA BUILDING”
The story highlighted plans by KICC to host a New Year’s Eve event at 25 Church Road with ‘celebration, drama, dance, praise, music’.
The ‘Mighty Manifestations Night’ was billed as The KICC South West New Year’s Eve celebration 2012.
Our story said: “Advertising leaflets outside the former cinema building at 25 Church Road – which the local community want to see returned to its cinema use – showed photos of four people: Noel Robinson, Dipo Oluyomi, Lara Martin and Shola Victor-Sajowa.
“A publicity ‘blurb’ underneath the photos announces that Noel Robinson and Lara Martin are guest artists.
“KICC’s own website states that Dipo Oluyomi is its chief executive officer. He has also been described as ‘resident pastor KICC South West and London’.
“Shola Victor-Sajowa is described in Internet posts as ‘ has no doubt moved up the ranks as a major worship leader in KICC’ and ‘London-based gospel singer best known for her work in the KICC choir’.
“The poster also features photos of the KICC SW TNT choir and the KICC SW choir.
“The latest event comes hot on the heels of a gospel concert held in the building on November 17th.”
Our report stated that in the wake of a post on Virtual Norwood earlier this year relating to an email from Bromley council, Bromley said an S330 notice has been sent to KICC. This is a notice requiring certain information as to interests in land and premises and in this case concerning the use of the building.
A planning department spokesman told NFCP: “This is part of an ongoing investigation in order to make an informed assessment as to whether a breach of planning control has occurred but I regret that the notice and the covering letter are exempt information and I am unable to provide a copy.”
NFCP asked Bromley council what an S330 notice can actually ask for, what penalties there are (if any) for non-compliance and what act or acts this would come under?
NFCP also asked for Bromley to comment on a sentence in the email which states “It is also intended to report the external alterations to the building to a committee early in the new year”.
The ‘Mighty Manifestations Night’ was billed as The KICC South West New Year’s Eve celebration 2012.
Our story said: “Advertising leaflets outside the former cinema building at 25 Church Road – which the local community want to see returned to its cinema use – showed photos of four people: Noel Robinson, Dipo Oluyomi, Lara Martin and Shola Victor-Sajowa.
“A publicity ‘blurb’ underneath the photos announces that Noel Robinson and Lara Martin are guest artists.
“KICC’s own website states that Dipo Oluyomi is its chief executive officer. He has also been described as ‘resident pastor KICC South West and London’.
“Shola Victor-Sajowa is described in Internet posts as ‘ has no doubt moved up the ranks as a major worship leader in KICC’ and ‘London-based gospel singer best known for her work in the KICC choir’.
“The poster also features photos of the KICC SW TNT choir and the KICC SW choir.
“The latest event comes hot on the heels of a gospel concert held in the building on November 17th.”
Our report stated that in the wake of a post on Virtual Norwood earlier this year relating to an email from Bromley council, Bromley said an S330 notice has been sent to KICC. This is a notice requiring certain information as to interests in land and premises and in this case concerning the use of the building.
A planning department spokesman told NFCP: “This is part of an ongoing investigation in order to make an informed assessment as to whether a breach of planning control has occurred but I regret that the notice and the covering letter are exempt information and I am unable to provide a copy.”
NFCP asked Bromley council what an S330 notice can actually ask for, what penalties there are (if any) for non-compliance and what act or acts this would come under?
NFCP also asked for Bromley to comment on a sentence in the email which states “It is also intended to report the external alterations to the building to a committee early in the new year”.
In a statement this week Bromley say no further action will be taken until sufficient evidence has been obtained to confirm whether there has been a breach of planning control.
But they add that it is “doubtful” the holding of four ‘events’ over a six month period involves a material change of use, “bearing in mind that the use has included concerts and dances which fall within the lawful Class D2 use – and that it is the uses which fall outside Class D2 which require further investigation.
“The external alterations to the building refer to a rear fire escape, canopy, and air condition units on the roof which have been carried out without planning permission. “The alterations to the poster panels on the front elevation were allowed on appeal last year.”
The first possible date where these allegations could be discussed by a Bromley council committee is January 24th.
“Two further complaints have been received following the most recent event at 25 Church Road on New Year’s Eve” added the planning department spokesman..
A Bromley council spokesman said: “Needless to say, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will take action where there is sufficient evidence”
