Hackney Council takes to the streets with anti-development poster campaign
Hacked off councillors in Shoreditch have taken the unprecedented step of leasing poster spots on city streets pleading with passers-by to object to contentious plans for a ‘huge’ and ‘unaffordable’ redevelopment of the hipster stronghold.
Located on Great Eastern Street the outdoor ad depicts a mock-up skyline view of a planned cluster of towers rising up to 40 storeys, dwarfing the existing Boxpark, warning that they will cast a shadow over existing homes and businesses, be unaffordable to locals and result in the ‘destruction’ of the burgeoning tech and creative community.
The advert is headed ‘A dark future for Shoreditch’ and notes: “We’ve had the decision taken away from us – but it’s not too late for you to have your say. Shoreditch deserves better.”
It goes on to reference a decision by London mayor Boris Johnson to call in the planning application for The Goodsyard on 23 September because of ‘non-determination’ by both Hackey and Tower Hamlets Councils, following a request made by joint venture partners Hammerson and Ballymore.
In a statement the developers insist that 10 per cent of homes will be classed as ‘affordable’ and that between the months of February and October there will be no additional overshadowing of the Boundary Estate. Overshadowing at other times is estimated to amount to less than 30 minutes per day, on average.
It is unusual for a local authority to use public funds in this way to campaign on a live planning issue in this way.
Campaigning street poster by @hackneycouncil about the Bishopsgate call-in. Unprecedented move by a borough? pic.twitter.com/2U6MS66r3k
— David Knight (@knight_david) December 18, 2015