Kicking up a stink, lord justice who moaned about restaurant
A LEADING judge has locked horns with his entire neighbourhood – including Wales’s top politician – after complaining about a Chinese restaurant.
Sir Gary Hickinbottom protested about the cooking smells to the council when he moved into a £525,000 home nearby.
The appeal court judge’s complaint was upheld and the Summer Palace installed an expensive new extractor fan.
But manager Wai Chim did not get proper permission and as a result is now due before magistrates.
The row has prompted Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford to step in to help the 32-year- old family restaurant, which is under threat due to the prosecution.
Councillor Sean Driscoll, MP Kevin Brennan and locals are also unhappy with Sir Gary and are fighting to save it.
Mr Driscoll said: ‘It’s a bit like buying a house next to a train station then complaining about the noise from the trains. Or next to a farmyard then complain about the smell from animals.
‘This situation is absolutely unbelievable. The Summer Palace has bent over backwards to mitigate against this issue.’
The restaurant, which overlooks historic Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, has a fivestar food hygiene rating and is much loved by locals and visitors for its Cantonese menu. But when Sir Gary and wife Georgina
moved into a Grade-II listed home nearby in 2016 they did not like the smell and noise coming from the kitchen.
The couple, who also own a property in Chelsea, west London, have complained about private members club the Llandaff Institute too.
However, neighbours in Llandaff, where children’s author Roald Dahl grew up, have pledged to save the Summer Palace.
Mr Drakeford and Cardiff West MP Mr Brennan have written a joint letter backing the restaurant, which they call a ‘staple’ of the high street.
They warned: ‘It has gone to extensive lengths to ensure the business has as little impact as possible.
‘Any future costs will threaten its future. We are keen to see a resolution which allows it to continue trading.’
Marian Tylk, stewardess of Llandaff Institute, said it would be ‘absolutely devastating’ if the restaurant lost its case. She added: ‘Everyone loves it.’
Sir Gary, 64, who sits at the appeal court as Lord Justice Hickinbottom, has presided over major cases including the challenge to the third runway at Heathrow.