WE HAVE UNTIL 3RD OF JULY TO REQUEST HACKNEY COUNCIL REJECT THE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE HACKNEY FASHION HUB ON MORNING LANE. 

PLEASE GO TO WWW.HACKNEY.GOV.UK/PLANNING-APPLICATIONS QUOTING PLANNING REF 2013/1825 AND VOICE YOUR OPINION TO STOP THIS DEVELOPMENT GOING AHEAD

Hackney is a unique, multi-cultural place like no other in London, where people of all races, religious and ethnic diversities live together. It is a special borough full of character and personality, however it’s also one of London’s most financially poor. As witnessed in the 2011 riots, there is a huge issue with under-priviledged, troubled youths. This marginalised group – along with many other impoverished Hackney residents – are who need investing in with the £2 million from the GLA regeneration fund, not an unecessary mecca to designer consumption

This project seeks only to cosmetcially restore Hackney’s post-rioting image rather than invest and serve the community . A designer outlet is NOT the answer to Hackney’s many issues and will potentially only increase social polarity.

The £2 milllion from the GLA regeneration fund would be far better spent within the deprived Hackney community on projects which will actually serve the local residents. Projects such as arts and sports facilities, youth training schemes, investments in local businesses for apprenticeships and green community spaces would be far more beneficial and essential for the area’s regeneration and long-term improvement. 

Furthermore, the Hackney Fashion Hub will have these negative repercussions:

1) Increase rents for existing Hackney residents, ironically including the struggling young fashion designers the Hackney Fashion Hub project claims it will help, thus pricing them out of the area. Young artists, designers and creatives have been drawn to Hackney for years because of affordable work/live spaces. The increasing gentrification of Hackney is out-pricing them. Furthermore, many are being evicted from their warehouses due to being sold to upmarket developers for luxury flat converison, like Stephen House on Darnley Road. The HFH will only further marginalise them.

2) Destroy historical, culturally significant buildings of heritage like The old Duke of Wellington Pub and the former Gravel Pit Chapel where Joseph Priestly who discovered oxygen preached.

3) Further push out small local business like the mechanics, MOT centres and scrap merchants under the railway arches on Morning Lane who have already been evicted.

4) The sterile, glass shopping mall will jarr completely with the other neighbouring residential and commercial developments around Morning Lane. The architecture is not sympathetic whatsoever to the character of the area.

5) Hackney’s gentrification is important but needs to happen slowly, organically and with fundamentally the residents in mind. This project will turn Hackney into an overnight tourist destination which will damage Hackney’s unique personality and divide its community. The busloads of outsider footfall will be visitng only to consume rather than contribute to and enjoy all then wonderful things Hackney has to offer.

COMMUNITY NOT CONSUMERISM!

WE HAVE UNTIL 3RD OF JULY TO REQUEST HACKNEY COUNCIL REJECT THE PLANNING APPLICATION. 

PLEASE GO TO WWW.HACKNEY.GOV.UK/PLANNING-APPLICATIONS QUOTING PLANNING REF 2013/1825 AND VOICE YOUR OPINION TO STOP THIS DEVELOPMENT GOING AHEAD