Hackney Council’s cabinet has recommended for approval plans to extend the Shoreditch Conservation Area in a move which could impact Hammerson’s plans for its £500m Bishop’s Place development.
The cabinet on Monday recommended for approval a report extending the conservation area to incorporate the existing Shoreditch High Street and other boundary changes.
Hackney’s full council is due to meet tonight to vote on the extension. If approved by the full council the extension will see greater protection applied to the Light Bar on Shoreditch High Street.
The Light Bar’s operator James Goff has been campaigning for the bar, which is located on part of Hammerson’s development site, to be included in the conservation area. Inclusion in the conservation area would mean the bar cannot be demolished without consent.
In August last year Hammerson’s planning application to develop the Foster & Partners-designed scheme on Norton Folgate was deferred pending the outcome of the conservation review.
Martin Jepson, Hammerson managing director for London Group, said: ‘We are extremely disappointed with the recommendation by the cabinet to include 233 Shoreditch High Street within the South Shoreditch High Street Conservation Area; especially following officer recommendation last year for the building not to be included. We now await the decision from full council.
‘We have worked very closely with the Council over the past three years on the project and also reached an agreement with the occupier of 233 Shoreditch High Street at the end of last year in supporting the business find an alternative location.
‘The Bishops Place development provides significant regeneration and affordable housing benefits for the borough and it would be a significant loss for the area and community if this opportunity was not allowed to go ahead.’
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