Enforcement action could be taken against a cafe that has been operating without planning permission.

Tradesman Cafe, based at Ivy House on Douglas Head Road, officially opened in January and has been serving customers between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm at weekends.

But it has prompted complaints from neighbours as it is operating without planning consent. An application by Onchan-based Petromanx Holdings Limited for the change of use of Ivy House from warehouse into joinery workshop, furniture showroom and coffee shop was submitted in November (17/01160/C).

No decision was made and in early July amended plans were submitted that were very different to those originally proposed. They included seating in the cafe area for12 diners and 12 parking spaces.

The planning office suggested the best way forward would be to submit a new application.

But the officer told the applicant: ’As you are currently operating the café without the benefit of planning approval, I would suggest that your new application should be submitted within four weeks.’

He said that should an application not be forthcoming within the next four weeks they would be left with no other option than to consider taking formal enforcement action.

The planning directorate confirmed that no additional planning application has been received.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed a complaint has been received concerning a breach of planning control.

He added: ’As such, the planning and building control directorate is conducting an investigation as set out in the planning enforcement policy.

’While this process is ongoing, the department is unable to provide further comment.’

Cafe boss John Window insisted everything possible has been done to get it resolved.

He accepted that they were in breach and claimed no neighbours had complained directly.