Parents concerned about the proposed development of luxury flats next to Colvestone Primary School attempted to build a wall of balloons last Saturday to demonstrate the “absurd” height of the approved building.
Setting up at Ridley Road Market, campaigners tried to stack black balloons nine and a half metres (31 feet) high, but were blighted by adverse weather conditions.
Judith Watts, a local resident who is taking legal action against the council to prevent the development, said: “I wish that it had worked out better. It was pouring with rain and it was very windy. It was simply to show local people coming to market that day the actual size of the wall.”
Ms Watts added: “The nursery school playground will be really affected by the development if it goes ahead. It would be in shade for significant parts of the day and when you’ve got a shaded area like that it increases the slime and the moss. It’s both a safety and a health issue because of the lack of Vitamin D there is generally in the community.”
Plans by developers Chan and Eayrs were controversially approved in September for the three-storey block of “light-filled” flats and a ground floor café next to the school.
However, Hackney Council is now seeking to overturn the decision made by its own planning committee by invoking a covenant that safeguards “the right to uninterrupted and unheeded access of light and air” over the school’s land.
Our children’s wellbeing is not up for negotiation. Do the right thing Hackney. Enforce the covenant. @hackneycouncil #Hackney #dalston
— Save Our Sunshine (@SaveOurSunshine) November 12, 2015
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “The council is looking to enforce the restriction to title regarding access to light and air and is taking appropriate professional advice. All parties will be kept informed of progress in this matter.”
A petition against the development has also been created by the campaign group Save Our Sunshine.
Photo credit: Judith Watts
