LBH Planning Officer has recommended that Planning Permission be Granted for the Gillett Square/Bradbury Street developoment, with 121 letters of objection versus 36 supporting the proposed development. The following objections were raised (extract from the Planning Sub-Committee report):
– Design of the proposed extension, and impact on the character
and appearance of the Conservation Area.
– Inappropriate materiality (polycarbonate) of the extension which
would not be appropriate for an affordable workspace, excessive
size and bulk relative to the existing buildings.
– Loss of the existing retail pods, which are prize winning and
should be retained
– Loss of existing access balconies which would reduce natural
surveillance and connection between existing workspace and the
square
– The proposed retail pods in the north of the square would preclude
the full completion of Gillet Square as envisaged in the Dalston
Area Action Plan with an active frontage.
– The proposal would be disruptive to the existing tenant of
Bradbury Street, retail pods, tenants neighbours and users of the
Square itself
– Overshadowing to the square
– The development poses financial risks to Hackney Co-operative
Developments who do not have the resources to complete the
development. The proposal would therefore risk HCD’s existing
assets being transferred to the private sector.
– Impact on nature and function of Gillet Square and ability of the
square to hold large scale events.
– Fire Risk from the proposed polycarbonate cladding system.
Planning Sub-Committee hearing to be held at 6.30pm on 25th July at:
Council Chamber, Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA.
Full report can be found here.