More about Beecholme


Beecholme is also the first postwar "mixed development" housing scheme in Hackney, with a mixture of houses and flats with the taller block having five storeys and containing one-bedroom and bedsit accommodation. It is featured in Volume 15 of Hackney History and was the site of Beecholme House, the family home of Maj. John André (d. 1780), who was executed as a British spy in the American War of Independence.

Friday, 29 April 2011

Through the looking glass decision


See the article below on page 20 of the 21/4/2011 e-edition issue 
of the Hackney Gazette at:






For details of
"Town Hall gives green light.. "
story mentioned in the letter above see:



Priority given to residential in a "Priority Employment Area"

The development reduces the commercial space by half and adds 84 flats (up to 7 storey) plus a 42 car car-park to the site, making it predominantly residential. 

The the current large Victorian units are in high demand while new units 1,000 yards away, similar to those proposed have been empty since built.

What is worse is that residents estimate it means the net loss of up to 40 full and part-time jobs.
It may have already cost some jobs as the people who have already left (or been forced out) have been unable to find suitable equivalent premises in the area.

The area has had several massive new developments recently so the ward's population density is sky-rocketing.

Housing targets for the quadrant have been met, so building another very dense development (563hrh) with no recreational facilities or useable green space in one of the 20% most deprived areas in the country, with insufficient school or GP places to meet even current demand is simply irresponsible.

To do so and at the same time destroy secure jobs in a PEA and a locally listed (by definition) "heritage asset" is bordering on criminal.

Talk about "through the looking glass".
                                                    
                                                      David White


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