Campaigners from Morning Lane People's Space (MOPS) and Save Ridley Road protest Hackney Council.
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Hackney Council has responded to calls by residents demanding more affordable housing in Morning Lane.
At a meeting at the town hall councillors expressed a willingness to seek alternative proposals to current plans, which see the current Tesco superstore replaced by office space, a 19-storey housing block and shops, and a smaller Tesco site.
Campaigners from Morning Lane People’s Space (MOPS) and Save Ridley Road have criticised these plans. They argue that more affordable housing and shopping for residents must be maintained.
Heather Mendick of MOPS said: “People feel excluded. People feel like what’s happening in terms of development is not for them, but for people outside Hackney and different from us in terms of wealth. It is time to put people before profit and ask – who is Hackney for?”
Hackney Mayor Phillip Glanville faced questions from MOPS at the meeting on whether Hackney would be willing to explore a new funding plan for the development. This plan would include a higher number of council homes and a Tesco store equivalent in size to the current one.
Controversial deal
The council bought the Morning Lane site in 2017 for £60m and partnered with Hackney Walk Ltd to develop a Tesco Superstore alongside new housing, offices and shops. However, the council has confirmed that Hackney Walk Ltd has yet to publish a planning application or submit planning permission for a potential development. With the agreement expiring in March next year the council is under pressure to secure an alternative solution, which would include more affordable housing.
In response, the mayor said “It is common sense for us to explore what alternatives we can utilise to develop the site. This would include a need for more affordable housing. This work starts now.”
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HeadlineHackney Council Responds to Pressure to Increase Affordable Housing in Morning Lane
Short HeadlineHackney Council open to new funding options
StandfirstCouncil says it is willing to discuss once current developer deal ends.
Hackney Council has responded to calls by residents demanding more affordable housing in Morning Lane.
At a meeting at the town hall councillors expressed a willingness to seek alternative proposals to current plans, which see the current Tesco superstore replaced by office space, a 19-storey housing block and shops, and a smaller Tesco site.
Campaigners from Morning Lane People’s Space (MOPS) and Save Ridley Road have criticised these plans. They argue that more affordable housing and shopping for residents must be maintained.
Heather Mendick of MOPS said: “People feel excluded. People feel like what’s happening in terms of development is not for them, but for people outside Hackney and different from us in terms of wealth. It is time to put people before profit and ask – who is Hackney for?”
Hackney Mayor Phillip Glanville faced questions from MOPS at the meeting on whether Hackney would be willing to explore a new funding plan for the development. This plan would include a higher number of council homes and a Tesco store equivalent in size to the current one.
Controversial deal
The council bought the Morning Lane site in 2017 for £60m and partnered with Hackney Walk Ltd to develop a Tesco Superstore alongside new housing, offices and shops. However, the council has confirmed that Hackney Walk Ltd has yet to publish a planning application or submit planning permission for a potential development. With the agreement expiring in March next year the council is under pressure to secure an alternative solution, which would include more affordable housing.
In response, the mayor said “It is common sense for us to explore what alternatives we can utilise to develop the site. This would include a need for more affordable housing. This work starts now.”
