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Save the Tram Depot Workshops, 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd
Published by Save the Tram Depot 2010 on Dec 26, 2009
Objection to Planning Application 2009/2490.
Dear Ian Bailey
We, the undersigned, are writing to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed demolition of the Tram Depot site, 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd.
These are the principal objections:
The demolition will lose Hackney people their jobs
The current site is a busy and active working site, with every single space used. Most businesses have been there between 10 – 20 years! An estimated 100+ jobs directly depend on the site. Such spaces that have all but disappeared in Hackney, and as a result of compulsory Olympic purchases, in East London generally. The proposal completely underestimates the number of livelihoods that depend on the site. The kind of work they do cannot take place in the proposed mix of B1 office and light industrial usage spaces envisaged in the application, and there are no guarantees of occupancy. The closure of such businesses would have a huge knock-on effect to cause substantial direct and indirect job losses. Furthermore, the plan's inclusion of the ubiquitous 'local store' to be run by one of the big players will ruin local shopkeepers.
The proposed site significantly increases traffic congestion
The proposed entrance to the development is on a blind spot and near a bus stop on one of Transport For London's designated arterial routes, the A107 (Upper Clapton Rd).
The '''92''' proposed 1-4 bed flats will significantly increase the number of car-trips coming from the site. The developer contends that the number of these car-trips by the new residents can be reduced by encouraging non-car dependent transport such as buses, train, cycling and walking, simply through the provision of information boards on the new site! His consultants suggest that a reduction of 5-15% of trips can be made between 2 and 10 years !! Thus they
accept that the increased car-trips emanating from the site will significantly add to congestion to this already busy arterial route.
The loss of designer & artist spaces in Hackney
The site houses the only remaining active group of artists and designers left in North Hackney—the rest have already been evicted from nearby sites to make way for new build
housing developments. Artists and creative industries are important to communities. There are over 30 active artists who use the units as their studios, and two gallery spaces, the Tram Depot Gallery and Vulpes Vulpes both have successful track records of innovative exhibitions open to the local as well as art-specialist community.
It is an inappropriate proposal
The proposed development will set a poor precedent physically, in terms of its height and density.
Such a large development fronted by six and seven storey elevations so close to the Lea Bridge Roundabout will dramatically affect the aspect and light levels for the Beaumont Court, the Beecholme Estate, and Casimir Road residential areas. Issues of privacy are also raised as a
large part of the proposed development overlooks much of this existing housing.
It does not respect the heritage of Hackney
The proposal suggests that the retention of the two distinctive gabled outer walls of the Tram Depot demonstrates sensitivity to the loss of Clapton's heritage! The retention of the walls is meaningless and another crass example of facadism!!
This part of the Tram Depot will be gutted! with a six storey building rising up through its roof! and running the whole
length of the building as seen from Prout Rd. All the rest will be demolished!
Furthermore, the need for the application is questionable in the light of it being so similar to at least 3 other large scale new build housing developments in the close vicinity, including the '''old Latham’s Timber Yard''' site, and other adjacent sites on the canal. Both are no more than
half a mile away and many of the commercial units provided remain empty.
To summarise, this application should be rejected. It will destroy established local businesses, put dangerous pressures on roads and services, and is fueled purely by a get rich quick mentality.
Dear Ian Bailey
We, the undersigned, are writing to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed demolition of the Tram Depot site, 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd.
These are the principal objections:
The demolition will lose Hackney people their jobs
The current site is a busy and active working site, with every single space used. Most businesses have been there between 10 – 20 years! An estimated 100+ jobs directly depend on the site. Such spaces that have all but disappeared in Hackney, and as a result of compulsory Olympic purchases, in East London generally. The proposal completely underestimates the number of livelihoods that depend on the site. The kind of work they do cannot take place in the proposed mix of B1 office and light industrial usage spaces envisaged in the application, and there are no guarantees of occupancy. The closure of such businesses would have a huge knock-on effect to cause substantial direct and indirect job losses. Furthermore, the plan's inclusion of the ubiquitous 'local store' to be run by one of the big players will ruin local shopkeepers.
The proposed site significantly increases traffic congestion
The proposed entrance to the development is on a blind spot and near a bus stop on one of Transport For London's designated arterial routes, the A107 (Upper Clapton Rd).
The '''92''' proposed 1-4 bed flats will significantly increase the number of car-trips coming from the site. The developer contends that the number of these car-trips by the new residents can be reduced by encouraging non-car dependent transport such as buses, train, cycling and walking, simply through the provision of information boards on the new site! His consultants suggest that a reduction of 5-15% of trips can be made between 2 and 10 years !! Thus they
accept that the increased car-trips emanating from the site will significantly add to congestion to this already busy arterial route.
The loss of designer & artist spaces in Hackney
The site houses the only remaining active group of artists and designers left in North Hackney—the rest have already been evicted from nearby sites to make way for new build
housing developments. Artists and creative industries are important to communities. There are over 30 active artists who use the units as their studios, and two gallery spaces, the Tram Depot Gallery and Vulpes Vulpes both have successful track records of innovative exhibitions open to the local as well as art-specialist community.
It is an inappropriate proposal
The proposed development will set a poor precedent physically, in terms of its height and density.
Such a large development fronted by six and seven storey elevations so close to the Lea Bridge Roundabout will dramatically affect the aspect and light levels for the Beaumont Court, the Beecholme Estate, and Casimir Road residential areas. Issues of privacy are also raised as a
large part of the proposed development overlooks much of this existing housing.
It does not respect the heritage of Hackney
The proposal suggests that the retention of the two distinctive gabled outer walls of the Tram Depot demonstrates sensitivity to the loss of Clapton's heritage! The retention of the walls is meaningless and another crass example of facadism!!
This part of the Tram Depot will be gutted! with a six storey building rising up through its roof! and running the whole
length of the building as seen from Prout Rd. All the rest will be demolished!
Furthermore, the need for the application is questionable in the light of it being so similar to at least 3 other large scale new build housing developments in the close vicinity, including the '''old Latham’s Timber Yard''' site, and other adjacent sites on the canal. Both are no more than
half a mile away and many of the commercial units provided remain empty.
To summarise, this application should be rejected. It will destroy established local businesses, put dangerous pressures on roads and services, and is fueled purely by a get rich quick mentality.
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