Co Down coffee hut announces closing date after council planning dispute
The coffee hut was opened in 2021 and has grown into a popular community hub
A coffee hut in rural Co Down has announced the date it will be closing its doors following a council planning dispute. The Lane on the Kircubbin Road in Ballywalter took to social media this week to announce the date they will be closing their doors for the final time.
Back in August, they shared the news that they would have to close after losing a planning permission appeal. Planning permission had been refused for the premises after an enforcement notice was served following a complaint from a neighbour in 2022.
The Lane was opened in 2021 by Jess and Marcus Green at their property and has since grown into a popular community hub that has been noted for its customer service and being dog-friendly.
Following the news earlier this year that it would have to close, there was an outpouring of anger among their customers and the local community, with over 6,000 people signing a petition calling for it to be saved.
Taking to social media this week, The Lane announced their final day would be Saturday, October 18. The team said: "Since sharing our news back in August we have been overwhelmed with support, advice and information that will carry us through.
"In time I will be releasing another statement but for now, I ask that you, our community support us in our final days. Please be considerate when commenting as you never know who is watching.
"This may be the end of The Lane as you know it but it is not the end of us, The Green family, the community of Balligan, the rural community, the community we built inside our 4 walls.
"Someone recently said to me ‘big things are coming for you girl.' You better believe it, we will be coming back stronger than ever. Please continue to follow us."
In August, Ards and North Down Borough Council issued a statement saying it started enforcement action at the site due to the "unauthorised operation of a coffee shop" and claims that it attempted to work with the owners to resolve this.
A spokesperson said: "An enforcement case was initiated in March 2022 regarding the unauthorised operation of a coffee shop in the countryside without planning permission. In line with the Ards and North Down Planning Enforcement Strategy, the Council acted reasonably and provided the owners with ample time to resolve the matter and attempt to regularise the breach on a without prejudice basis.
"Despite repeated correspondence from the Council, the owners did not take steps to address the issue. Consequently, an Enforcement Notice was issued in June 2024. The owners were kept informed throughout the process.
"The owners exercised their right to appeal the Notice to the independent appellant body, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), which held a hearing and issued its decision on 20 August 2025. The PAC refused planning permission and upheld the Enforcement Notice, confirming that the use does not comply with planning policy.
"The Council has a statutory duty to uphold planning regulations and protect the integrity of the planning system. In this case, the business was established without prior planning permission, and the owners made little effort to engage with the Council to resolve the matter.
"We recognise that the closure of any business is difficult. However, the Council must apply planning rules fairly and consistently to ensure that all businesses operate on a level playing field and that development in the countryside is appropriately managed.
"The Council remains committed to supporting sustainable economic development and local businesses, but it cannot ignore breaches of planning control. We will continue to ensure compliance in line with our Planning Enforcement Strategy and regional legislation."
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