The structure, used to house fresh fruits and vegetables, was erected without planning permission, leaving frustrated locals.
The sudden development has raised Conerns about the lack of communication between the supermarket and the previous residents, who previously had direct access without obstacles to the main street.
Last week, residents were surprised to see that the new structure appeared during the night outside the Cheam Arena supermarket in London Road.
The fixed structure, complete with wiring, blinds and lighting, was installed by the new store owner, Elif Food, which took charge earlier this year. Described by one as a ‘tin conservatory’, he replaced a retractable edible awning, which allowed easy access to the front.
Now, what was once a clear path has become a closed alley, and residents were notified notified of change.
This created what Richard Johnson, a member of the Association of Residents, called a “enclosure” outside the store.
Johnson said: “The sausage about it is what it cannot see, which is that they have people who live on the floors above and their only access is from the front.
“They have no rear access, and at this time, they are bound with the line that the counter said yes to development, but they are housed cleanly.”
He talked about how a resident who lived up came home and was surprised to find the structure built around his forehead.
He added: “The resident received the double shock of seeing that structure there and also finding people sitting in his doetway.”
To make things worse, this structure was presented without the planning permission of Sutton Counter.
The permission for ‘less invasive’ awnings was rejected in 2020 before the permission was granted to the former owners for simple awnings mounted six months later.
Mr. Johnson said: “You would have thought that if only then I had a no, then something like that, now, will be a no.
“What they have done now is very far from anything really, and they have created an enclosure that has only fallen in the leg in front of stores.”
“None of that should be there, certainly without a planning application. I have never known that something like this will be approved.”
Its sudden appearance at the end of last week caused a mixed response of residents.
Some relieved their disgust on Facebook, with Becky Dinnage commenting: “Oh my God, this is horrendous for people who live up.”
However, others have been more optimistic. The Facebook user, Gemma Putney, said: “I think she looks lovely, much better than seeing boxes of fruits and vegetables scattered throughout the place.”
Johnson said the Sutton Council execution team had quickly acted against other businesses that erected “less invasive” structures outside its facilities in the past.
An infraction included a nearby Italian restaurant, which was forced to eliminate several tables and chairs outside.
Mr. Johnson added: “If they are going to fall heavy on chairs and tables, I would think that this kind of thing would lead the list.”
The owners of the store then confirmed their lack of permission when asked the local democracy reports (LDRS). The co -owner Serap Yumak said that the decision to build the new structure was necessary since they had no room to store the products inside the store.
He also said that the awnings used by the former owner were causing damage to the shares of the store. “We needed to act quickly,” he said.
She continued saying: “We had some problems with the old canopy; it would fly in winds against and let the water damage our stock below.
“We would go down to the boxes ruined by the water of all the rain that arrived earlier this year when we passed through the store. The residents above would also throw cigarette butts to the canopy.”
He did not apologize for creating the new structure and insisted that they had not clogged the pavement outside, since everything was done in their facilities.
She confirmed that they would expect to request a retrospective planning permit for the structure and that Sutton Counter did not grant this permission if this accountant.
Mr. Yumak admitted that the residents who lived up did not receive notice from the plans to build the new structure and apologized for what she saw as supervision. He also retreated the statement that the new building negatively affected access to its front doors.
Residents now have to pass under the structure to reach their main door. However, the store staff confirmed that the blinds will be reduced at the end of the day, and one will open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to keep access without compromising store safety.
The store, which will change its name to Elif Food Center in the coming months, also plans to request its first level alcohol license. This is part of Yumak’s plans to expand the store, which has other branches in London.
Despite this, the store is currently under investigation by the Sutton Council planning team, and the fate of the new structure remains uncertain.
A spokesman for the Sutton Council said: “We understand that residents are worried and we are investigating the situation in the Chea Team Arena as a priority.
“The planning application team received complaints from residents about this issue at the end of last week and our officers are reviewing the planning history on the site, which has bone constructions and also talking to that answer.
“The Council will decide if any formal application action is needed.”
