A PETITION by Hackney residents protesting a controversial redevelopment on Morning Lane has reached 400 signatures.
The redevelopment of the Tesco superstore into a residential and commercial hub drew objections after it was revealed there were no plans for council housing in the block, and that only 20 per cent would have “affordable” levels of rent.
Adam Forman, chair of Morning Lane People’s Space (MLPS), which started the petition, said: “If there is going to be any housing, it needs to be council housing.”
What is “affordable”?
Housing is defined as “affordable” if priced at 80 per cent of the local market rate. Hackney Council mandates that 50 per cent of total new housing developments should be affordable.
Campaigners also criticised the developers, Hackney Walk, for proposing that half the new space be reserved for commercial use.
Mr Forman said: “What’s the evidence we need more fashion shops or more artisan shops?”
The site was bought by the council for £55 million in 2017, and then sold on a 999-year lease to Hackney Walk.
“Abysmal” record on redevelopment
The company’s record on redevelopment projects has been described as “abysmal” by Mr Forman. It built the £100 million “fashion hub” on Morning Lane, which sits largely empty today.
While Hackney Walk says it has sent out 19,000 letters to local residents about the new plans, Mr Forman told Hackney Post: “We’ve managed to find one [person who received a letter], not 19,000. We’re trying to work out who they sent the letters to.”
One local who signed the petition, Daisy H, said: “Can this really be being developed by the group who did the ridiculous Fashion Hub?!
Serves none of the community
“A soulless project that ejected long-established local businesses, serves none of the local community and is empty day after day, year after year.”
MLPS is hosting a consultation on the development on 28 March. Over 130 people attended the previous consultation hosted by the campaign group in February.
Hackney Council were approached for comment.
