Locals have hit out against the council’s decision to approve controversial plans for a residential development on Dalston Lane.
Planning permission for a building to be constructed on 67a – 71 Dalston Lane was granted by Hackney Council on Wednesday 6 March. Existing structures will be demolished to make way for the development by Maurice Investments Ltd, which will include 121 flats, as well as business and retail floor space.
However, local residents have claimed that the plans may contravene the Dalston Area Action Plan (DAAP) and will have a negative impact on the adjoining Graham Road-Mapledene and Dalston Lane conservation areas.
A spokesperson from the Ritson and Stannard Road Action Group said: “We feel very let down by the whole planning process leading up to the approval of this scheme. The carefully developed policies in the DAAP have been conveniently dismissed in favour of developers’ benefits.”
The DAAP states that there is a need for a “consistent approach” to building heights along Dalston Lane, in order to fit in with the character of the area. The recommended height for the Lane is four to six stories, but parts of the new structure will reach up to 10.
In the weeks leading up to the decision, 136 people sent letters of objection to the council, while an online petition amassed over 200 signatures. However, just two letters of support welcomed the prospect of a series of new homes built close to the public transport hub.
The development is also opposed by OPEN Dalston, SAVE Britain’s Heritage and the Dalston Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
Clementine Cecil, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “It is really shocking because of the amount of objections; the sub-planning committee should have thought about changing the nature of the application.
“This shows a lack of local democracy and I don’t understand why these processes are in place if they are just ignored. The reason people want to live in Dalston is because it’s a pleasant environment; the council are killing the goose that lays the golden egg.”
In their consultation report, the sub-planning committee stated that the height of the building is acceptable for Dalston Lane because the DAAP involves room for flexibility and that any impact on the conservation areas will be “negligible.”
The council declined to comment further.
A spokesperson from Maurice Investments Ltd was unavailable for comment.
Planning permission is subject to completion of an S106 agreement and referral to the Greater London Authority. The full consultation report can be read here.
[…] decision to grant planning permission for 121 flats on Dalston Lane has angered local residents, according to the Hackney Post. One hundred and thirty six people lodged objections to the plans, which were approved by Hackney […]
“The DAAP states that there is a need for a “consistent approach” to building heights along Dalston Lane, in order to fit in with the character of the area. The recommended height for the Lane is four to six stories, but parts of the new structure will reach up to 10.”
The part of the development fronting Dalston Lane is the same height as existing adjacent buildings (five storeys I think). The taller elements of the development are along Martel Place where there are already taller buildings.