3:19pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
By Elizabeth Pears
OUTRAGED opponents to a "noisy" Muswell Hill cafe in Queen's Wood nature reserve have dropped their legal challenge to have its licence revoked.
Instead the community are preparing a dossier of evidence to submit to Haringey Council who granted the controversial licence to Queen's Wood Lodge in June allowing the venue to play music and serve alcohol until midnight.
More than one hundred furious residents, from roads surrounding The Queen's Wood Lodge in Muswell Hill Road, wrote angry letters outlining their concerns which included fears over noise disturbance as well as deeming it a "misuse of a natural place of beauty".
They went on to raise more than £4,000 to assist a court battle scheduled for October.
But Muswel Hill resident and solicitor Andrew Darwin, who is leading the campaign, has alleged there is evidence to show that after the licence was granted, the cafe had flouted the terms and conditions of its licence.
He said an expensive court battle would be an unnecessary course of action and that a direct appeal to the council could be just as effective and, in a letter to fellow campaigners, urged them to start logging any indiscretions they witness.
Mr Darwin wrote: "There were several instances of noise and other breaches of condition reported immediately after the licence was granted, most noticeably two recorded instances of noise and people congregating outside, cars parked in the woods and flaming candles lighting the path to the Cafe. However these ceased immediately the appeal was launched."
"There is the possibility that the issue of the appeal has sent a message we are watching and are prepared to take action."
Money raised by residents to fund the battle will be refund to those who donated.
Queen's Wood Lodge is owned by Murray Shelmerdine who owns a 20-year lease on the eco-building which also serves as his home.
The arts venue hosts regular poetry sessions and an open mic event on the first Thursday of every month.
Mr Shelmerdine told the Haringey Independent he would prefer not to comment at this stage.
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