Say No! to building slums of the future in Ridley Road Shopping Village

The off-shore developer, Larochette Real Estate Inc, based in the British Virgin Islands secretive tax haven, has applied for Hackney's prior approval to convert part of the second floor of the Ridley Road Shopping Village, which it owns, into 8 sub-standard studio flats for market rent with no affordable  accommodation .

This architect's drawing shows the proposed studio flats for which prior approval from Hackney is sought

You can see the developer's "prior approval" application on Hackney's website and, by scrolling down to "Representations", you can make on-line objections here.  It will only take 5 minutes - just say "I object" and give your reasons. You can also email objections to  planning@hackney.gov.uk  We urge you to do so - numbers count! You can read our reasons for objection here. 

Some of the proposed studio flats do not even meet the minimum space, and none will meet the minimum noise, standards. The only windows are all south facing, and so are subject to full solar heat gain, and they overlook the noisy market and railway line. The market's operations start at 6am set-up and clear-up continues until 7pm, and the neighbouring Market Bar has a 3am license at weekends. Nevertheless the developer's acoustic consultant advised that secondary glazing would ensure that minimum noise levels in the flats are achieved. However there will be no adequate means for natural ventilation without keeping the windows open to try and achieve a healthy living environment.

The Shopping Village has been the subject of a long standing community campaign to retain existing uses, including the upper floors of the Shopping Village as affordable studios for artists and creative businesses. In December 2019 the building was designated as an Asset of Community Value by the Council, following a community application. The Council found that the building's use, by artists and creative businesses on the upper floors and independent traders and market storage on the lower floors, served the community's interests and well being. Larochette had dropped its earlier application to convert the whole building into luxury flats and offices. Then some 60 artists were evicted to enable its refurbisment. 

Following the recent refurbishments, the cultural benefits and community interest were damaged by the Council's own Market Services taking part of the first floor for its offices. Further damage will occur if part of the second floor is now approved for conversion into studio flats. 

Ridley Road is a key town centre site but full planning permission is not required for the conversion from offices to residential because Hackney failed to protect Ridley Road's business uses as part of its "Article 4 Direction". The developer now only needs Hackney's "prior approval".