Buddhist temple operating inside former London pub learns its fate after council intervention

• A Buddhist temple operating within a former pub in Walthamstow , London , has been ordered to close by the local council due to unauthorised use.
• The Lord Brooke pub, which ceased trading in 2014, was acquired by the Confucius & Tao Association, whose application to convert it into a place of worship was refused in 2015.
• Waltham Forest Council issued a planning enforcement notice on 30 April, demanding the charity stop all religious and community activities and remove temple fixtures.
• The council justified its decision by stating the change of use led to the 'unjustified loss of a valued public community facility' and harmed the local social infrastructure.
• The Confucius & Tao Association has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, which has resulted in the temporary suspension of the enforcement notice.

IN FULL

‘Unauthorised’ Buddhist temple operating in former pub ordered to close