Leaked report calls for Dalstons environmental protection
The "intrinsic character, local distinctiveness and unique identity of Dalston " is at risk of being damaged or lost, a leaked report has revealed. Dalston town centre is facing a tsunami of property development proposals in 2013. The report comments that Dalstons historic town centre environment has "wholly inadequate heritage protection at present ".
The Railway Tavern and Peace Mural on Dalston Lane
The report was produced for Design for London which, like Transport for London (TfL),is an agency of Boris Greater London Authority. It recommends a new Dalston Kingsland Conservation Area, an extension of the Dalston Lane (West) Conservation Area and the listing of several of Dalstons notable buildings.
Presently unprotected, the former 1902 Shannon factory, now Sprinfield House, Tyssen Street, is recommended for inclusion on the National Heritage List for England and inclusion within an extended Dalston Lane Conservation Area. A 9-xtorey blocks of flats is planned for the neighbouring Eastern Curve site.
Dalston Square was Phase 1 of TfLs redevelopment scheme many unprotected heritage buildings were lost. The redevelopment of TfLs Western Curve tunnels is Phase II. Major developments on other sites in the town centre are also planned, including towers of between 9 - 19 storeys locally.
The report was produced for Design for London which, like Transport for London (TfL),is an agency of Boris Greater London Authority. It recommends a new Dalston Kingsland Conservation Area, an extension of the Dalston Lane (West) Conservation Area and the listing of several of Dalstons notable buildings.
Dalston Square was Phase 1 of TfLs redevelopment scheme many unprotected heritage buildings were lost. The redevelopment of TfLs Western Curve tunnels is Phase II. Major developments on other sites in the town centre are also planned, including towers of between 9 - 19 storeys locally.
(I was told that the vats in which Constables paints were mixed are stored in the basement - Ed)
Local Councils have responsibility for creating local conservation areas but Hackney has invested over £1.3million in partnership with TfL to enable development of the Western Curve tunnels. A letter has been sent to English Heritage pointing out Hackneys conflicting interests and asking it to consider using its reserve powers to designate the new, and extended, Conservation Areas. You can read the letter here.
Unless within a Conservation Area, unlisted non-residential buildings can be demolished without any planning control at all. Even residential status doesnt prevent some owners disregarding planning controls over demolition. Conservation Area status also gives some protection to prevent damage to the settings of notable buildings affected by new developments.
Hackney Council response to the reports recommendations presently remains unclear. However the importance of many of the buildings identified in the report was not drawn to the Government Inspectors attention by Hackney during his Dalston Area Action Plan Inquiry last summer.
The new Dalston Kingsland Conservation Area would also include heritage buildings on Stoke Newington Road. .
St Johns Court, former Magistataes Court, at 82 Stoke Newington Road, is recommended for inclusion on the National Heritage List for England and for inclusion within the new Dalston Kingsland Conservation Area.
The former Savoy/ABC art deco cinema, currently EFES Snooker Club at 1-17 Stoke Newington Road is
recommended for inclusion on Hackneys Local List and for inclusion within an extended Dalston Kingsland Conservation Area
You can read the full DfL report here.
Leaked report calls for Dalstons environmental protection