At the Heart of Hackney since 1967 2012 THE HACKNEY SOCIETY SPACENews and views about Hackney’s builtS environment Issue 38 Autumn 2012 // ISSN 2047-7465

Matchmakers Wharf Studios

Artists’ studios at Matchmakers became known for Matchbox Toys. The Wharf were formally opened on company began in a pub, The Rifleman, 25 September 2012. Designed by Stock in Edmonton, with the factory Woolstencroft, the new studio block being opened in 1969 as part of a great consists of 49 studios ranging in size expansion in Lesney’s capacity. When the company went into liquidation in 1982, from 223 to 559 sq ft. It forms part of the Matchbox brand was sold, but the a scheme providing retail, commercial Moira Sinclair (Arts Council England), Jules Pipe Homerton Road plant continued to produce and residential units. (LB Hackney), David Panton (Acme Studios), castings and plastic parts for electrical David Murphy (Acme Artist in Residence). The studios are owned by Acme Studios, appliances for a number of years. The Photos by Greg Goodale/Morley von Sternberg a charity that supports the development factory was demolished in 2010. for Acme Studios. of fine art practice by providing artists with To celebrate the importance of the site, Acme affordable studio and living space. They were has established a residency for an artist to contents built in partnership with Telford Homes and bring the history of the factory and the people 01 Matchmakers Wharf Studios were part-funded by Arts Council England’s associated with it to life. The Hackney Studio Grants for the arts capital programme. The 02 Building Watch: Developing Hackney residency is a collaboration with Hackney presence of Acme Studios in Hackney dates 03 Building Watch: A Building Worth Council’s Cultural Development Team and to the charity’s beginnings in 1973 with short- Fighting For the arts organisation PEER. The Hackney- life housing in various parts of the borough based artist David Murphy was selected 03 Harold Pinter Plaque including Beck Road, Westgate Street and as artist in residence from 98 applications. 03 Noticeboard . The 18-month residency provides a free 04 Book Review Matchmakers Wharf was built on the studio and a bursary. David would welcome 04 Routes site of the Lesney factory in Homerton readers’ memories of the old factory. Contact Road. Founded in 1947 as an industrial him at [email protected] or call the 04 Open Letter to Members die-casting company, Lesney Products Acme office on 020 8981 6811. 04 Publications Building Watch

Developing Hackney businesses that are vital for the UK’s future the CAACs is often merely a box-ticking competitiveness. And ‘no’ because Hackney exercise from the officers’ perspective. palpably needs to create more housing, Legitimate concerns about development By Laurie Elks both to rent and to buy, to accommodate proposals need to be understood by officers In August, under the big top of a rising population and alleviate the upward and members before matters are resolved in Hackney House in , Hackney pressure on cost that goes inevitably with the somewhat gladiatorial arena that is the Council sponsored its Developing shortage of supply. And a further qualified planning sub-committee. Hackney conference, a showcase of ‘no’ because, as Mr Loveland pointed out, Sufficiency of Democratic Oversight its development plans addressed to an the Council absolutely ‘gets’ the Hackney audience of development professionals. Factor: that creative bohemian buzz which There is also a distinct lack of capacity in draws in creative, wealth-generating arrangements for democratic review of The message was upbeat. In South entrepreneurs. Although the metaphor was planning proposals. Hackney now receives Shoreditch, Hackney is home to a world- not actually used at the conference, the some 2,500 planning applications per year class cluster (or clusters) of creative high- Council understands that the wrong scale of which 7% are categorised as ‘major tech businesses ranging from Google at of development could kill the goose that applications’. All important matters go before one end to numerous thriving start-up lays the golden eggs. And Mr Loveland the planning sub-committee which meets design and IT businesses at the other. New told the conference that it is at the core of once or twice a month to tackle an agenda developments and flexible workspaces have the Council’s thinking that the ‘Victorian which typically includes some 20 items and a helped to make Shoreditch the workplace warehouse aesthetic is a key part of what’s mass of supporting documentation. Members of some 39,000 people. Furthermore, the happening in Shoreditch’. are prevented by planning purdah from mutual support and cross-fertilisation of opening their ears to any views but those of ideas that goes with high-tech clusters is So where are the countervailing concerns? officers before meetings take place. They do creating a virtuous high-tech circle – the Well here are a few – and HacSoc members their duties conscientiously but it is not an so-called ‘Silicon Roundabout’ phenomenon. may add some others. effective system of democratic scrutiny. Beyond Shoreditch, the message conveyed Collateral Damage The Design Review Panel by Graham Loveland, Hackney’s acting It is clear from planning disasters of the Developers’ design proposals are scrutinised Director of Planning, and Guy Nicholson, its past that areas of character and heritage by the Design Review Panel – a somewhat Cabinet member for Regeneration, was assets can be irreparably damaged by unaccountable body. The process of equally positive. Hackney has exceeded its insensitive and overscale developments tripartite negotiation between developers, own housing target – 7,883 new units in the on adjacent sites. The development at planners and the Panel means that past five years – with more in the pipeline, Corsham Street, discussed in Spaces 36, effectively any proposal supported by officers including the vast regeneration scheme at which breaks down the barrier between the comes with the imprimatur of approval Woodberry Down led by the builders, Berkeley busy traffic arteries serving the Old Street of the Design Review Panel. The entire Homes. The new Core Strategy is in place roundabout and adjoining intimate streets system is full of aesthetic and moral hazard and Area Action Plans are being finalised. is a case in point. And in , particularly where conservationist concerns The main growth areas will be Woodberry planners collaborated for many years with about a development proposal are rebutted Down, , Hackney Town Centre, Tesco over the retailer’s plans to develop by incantation that a building has been and – of course – South its Morning Lane site without regard for the adjudged a ‘good’ building by the Panel. Shoreditch. Much development will focus on impact on Hackney’s ancient churchyard. the East-West (Dalston to Hackney Wick) A proactive Council understandably looks Sufficiency of the Conservation Service and North-South (Dalston to Shoreditch) to facilitate the more intensive use of Hackney maintains a tiny conservation corridors created by the Overground network. ‘opportunity sites’ to create additional team to provide specialist advice to a The Council’s planning service is geared housing and employment. It is sometimes planning service handling some 150-200 up and ready: the Design Review Panel is necessary for conservationists to call major applications per year. And review of available to provide guidance; ‘Opportunity attention to the possible collateral damage. Conservation Areas has virtually ground to Sites’ are helpfully designated in the Area a halt at a time when the boundaries of a Asymmetry of Access and Action Plans; and the Council’s Regeneration number of conservation areas urgently need Planning Purdah Team is available as a first port of call to to be reviewed to protect the character of intending developers. As one speaker from Hackney Council rightly offers developers Hackney from overscale development. Berkeley Homes put it ‘[Council] officers are the opportunity to meet planning officers; prepared to take a flexible proactive stance refine their plans collaboratively; put in A Sense of Place to development in their Borough’. pre-planning applications; and receive Finally, conservation-minded members of the guidance on design. But the result can be community often have a sense of place that Cllr Nicholson introduced Vincent Stops to huge sunk cost and effort on the Council’s transient council officers and developers may delegates, assuring them that Cllr Stops’ part in helping developers work up their not grasp. It was ironic in this context to hear lengthy tenure as chair of the planning schemes, before they are exposed to critical Mr Tibaldi of Berkeley Homes extol the Stoke committee ensured ‘consistency’ of review from a conservationist perspective. Newington Reservoirs as the focus of regen- approach and – by implication – no nasty And whilst the planning sub-committee eration of Woodberry Down. Mr Tibaldi did surprises for developers. members exercise ultimate democratic not mention, and may not have been aware, Should conservationists be concerned? Well, control over development proposals, they that it was a vigorous community campaign no and yes. ‘No’ because dynamic cities are insulated from views contrary to officers’ in the 1980s which saved the reservoirs from need to change in order to move forward. recommendations by the system of planning development. Today’s conservationist fossils No one but the extremist dirigiste surely purdah. In principle Conservation Areas may prove to be tomorrow’s heroes – a point would want to restrict the hive of activity in Advisory Committees can redress this which the Council’s regeneration team would Shoreditch which is spawning the kind of balance but in practice consultation with do well to ponder.

02 Building Watch

A Building Worth Fighting For

By David Shaw The Hackney Society is increasingly staircases, panelling and fireplaces which concerned over the future of the old would all be lost in the new scheme. Queen Elizabeth Children’s Hospital It is disappointing that the developers’ on the Hackney Road and Goldsmith’s proposals have not attempted to retain the Row as the developers have revealed main building, choosing demolition as the plans to demolish all but one façade of only option. the building. We disagree. Particularly since the design of The hospital was founded in 1867 by two the new buildings is uninspiring and bland, Quaker sisters following a devastating and fails to integrate the Hackney Road cholera epidemic, and moved to Hackney façade. With talk of the use of reconstituted Road in 1870, where it shone a light on the stone in favour of brick, the proposal looks Whilst few will shed tears for the 1960s needs of sick children in East London. The increasingly unattractive. With key local concrete rear, the loss of the Victorian hospital grew in size and stature until it was developments, such as the Arthaus on building will be great. Although the fate closed in 1997 and has remained empty Graham Road and the Town Hall Hotel on will be decided by Tower Hamlets, local ever since. Patriot Square, highlighting the wealth of residents from both boroughs should The building along Goldsmith’s Row is very benefits of reusing historic buildings with be arguing for better design and more much a local landmark with its ornamental modern design, the proposal to demolish an innovative approaches in order to ensure brickwork and many interesting features, iconic local landmark appears out of touch that we do not lose any more historical whilst the interior retains some fine and nonsensical. buildings in a rush to blander new builds.

Harold Pinter Plaque

Lady Antonia Fraser Pinter unveiled a Plus of course that extra dash of inspiration of how someone from here in inner city plaque, sponsored by Clapton Pond which was entirely his,’ said Lady Antonia. Clapton can go on to make a significant Neighbourhood Action Group (CPNAG), contribution to the cultural and political life of Julia Lafferty, a trustee of the Hackney on 22 September 2012. The plaque the whole world. A wonderful model for our Society, gave a brief talk on the history marks the house in Thistlewaite Road young people here, so often written off in the of Clapton, the landscape of Pinter’s where her husband, Harold Pinter, was past and told no-one who comes from here childhood. After pointing to the observations born and grew up. He died in 2008. ever did any good or got anywhere. Well, of Samuel Pepys in 1666 and those of Harold did! And so can they.’ Among those who turned out to mark the Daniel Defoe in 1722, she described occasion were actor, writer, director Steve Clapton’s long tradition of religious non- Berkoff, who – like Pinter – had attended conformity and dissent, including the School; playwright Tom establishment of New College in the Stoppard; actor Julian Sands, who movingly 1780s. She went on to pay tribute to read out a poem written by Harold about Hackney Downs School and Joe Brearley, his Hackney Downs School teacher Joseph the English teacher there who had fired Brearley; and Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney Pinter’s imagination. Following the talk, Julia North and . presented Lady Antonia with a copy of the Hackney Society publication Hackney: An ‘Harold would have been very happy about uncommon history in five parts. this. He was extremely proud of his origins – and quite rightly so. As his work makes Ian Rathbone, Chair of CPNAG, commented: very clear, they had made him what he was. ‘This particular plaque brings us a reminder

Noticeboard

Hackney Design nominations for the People’s are proposals for David They plan to build 77 flats and Awards 2012 Choice Award is 5 November. Adjaye Architects to convert offices in three buildings on The awards ceremony will be railway arches into retail units. The shortlist for Hackney the site of Thames House off held on 22 November. Currently the Burberry outlet in Dalston Lane. Design Awards 2012 has been nearby Chatham Place attracts published on the Council’s Aske Gardens Morning Lane visitors from all over the world. website (http://www.hackney. Plans are afoot to develop Improvements have been made gov.uk/designawards.htm). The Morning Lane as a fashion Thames House to Aske Gardens in Shoreditch. 19 buildings shortlisted include outlet hub. A Pringle of Architects Levitt Bernstein The revamp includes installation Clissold House, Hackney Scotland shop is to open presented proposals for a of double-sided benches, Picturehouse and Haggerston shortly in the former Duke development scheme in Dalston bird boxes, bike stands and School. The deadline for of Wellington pub, and there for consultation on 3 October. recycling bins.

03 Book Review by Ken Worpole summarised in one phrase it was coined by enough to be one those surveyors and the architectural group Studio Superniche enjoyed the task greatly, as well as meeting The Art of Dissent: Adventures in London’s who argue for ‘the cause of the niche against many like-minded people and learning a great Olympic State, edited by Hilary Powell & the tide of the generic’. Niches are at the heart deal in the process. (Curiously, few of my Isaac Marrero-Guillamón, Marshgate Press, of biodiversity, as they are of complex social Love Local Landmark colleagues attended £14.99 systems, and the was once the the AGM. I wonder why?) How Hackney After the party, the hangover and the bill. home of a multiplicity of ecological, industrial Council uses the survey remains to be seen, Even those sceptical about the Olympics and elective social niches. This eclectic, but the foundation it has lain to help protect and Paralympics should be pleased and kaleidoscopic collection offers a terrific Hackney’s heritage must be invaluable. relieved that the games passed safely and defence of the untamed and unregulated, I am sensing that the long-term health of enjoyably. Even so, it remains important to without the hubris of ‘we told you so’. the society may be more robust if we can remember what seemed so disturbing at the find a variety of projects or activities (like time – the suspension of routine planning Haggerston Routes the Love Local Landmarks project) that can and policing procedures, the swathe of by Patrice Lawrence take better advantage of the skills and time compulsory purchase orders, the frequent From buns to bombs to buildings, what are of more of its members more of the time – misrepresentation of the site and the people the stories of Haggerston? Every Generation something between the extremes of being who lived and worked there as being in is working with the Building Exploratory, elected to the committee and remaining a a state of near dereliction – amongst a Hall and the Geffrye Museum to passive member. proliferation of other dubious practices. This discover the untold history of Haggerston I appreciate that projects offering this collection of essays, photographs, artworks before the old estate disappears. Every opportunity to our members are rare and may is an invaluable aide-memoire to what the Generation is exploring the impact of rely upon both funding and a great deal of fuss was all about, particularly as developers migration – how it shapes buildings, family organisational resources to come to fruition, set about creating a 21st century model life and social history. We are running family but the rewards in the long term may be great of urban living bearing little relation to what history workshops to help people trace in terms of garnering support and maintaining existed before. Given that there are over 60 their family’s journey to Haggerston, be it healthy involvement in the society. contributors, the editors have adroitly shaped from across the world, the UK or London. I have no idea what ‘involving’ projects the argument of the book into a coherent We would also like to interview people from might be and so finish on an appeal to our narrative under the themes of ‘Incursions’, Haggerston who have a story to tell. We members for ideas. ‘Excavations’, ‘Displacements’ and are capturing the stories on our Haggerston Jerry Cooper (Member ordinaire with aspirations) ‘Aftermaths’. It repays close reading. Routes blog (http://haggerstonroutes. Oliver Wainwright and Juliet Davis separately tumblr.com). The blog is open for anyone provide an unnerving glimpse of what may to contribute, particularly with photographs Publications yet come. Wainwright suggests we note and anecdotes. For further information what is happening in Stratford immediately contact [email protected]. Just Like the End of the World: Stories adjacent to the site. High rise apartment of the Coronation Avenue disaster blocks in gaudy colours are mushrooming Open Letter to Hackney Society edited by Camilla Loewe is written in everywhere, mostly owned by overseas Members memory of 160 people who died when a investors keen to get into the ‘buy-to-let’ I was reminded at the recent Hackney bomb hit their building during the Blitz in market, often characterised by high tenant Society AGM that involvement in the society 1940. TimeLine, £15. turnover, multiple occupancy, and absentee seems to be limited to all or nothing. Either Stranger in a Borrowed Land: Lotte landlordism. Things may turn out better in one becomes a committee member or one Moos and her writing by David Perman the five new Olympic communities, subject remains an ordinary member. I am a slightly is an account of the life and writing of Lotte to much more stringent regulation we are frustrated ordinary member. I have some Moos, who lived in Hackney from 1966 until told, but here the story goes the other way. In pertinent skills and a limited amount of time to 2003. Grendel Publishing, £9.99. the imagery of the lifestyles portrayed in the offer, but apparently no means of making use promotional literature, there are no libraries, Mapping the Change: Recording of them within the society’s context. charity shops, betting shops, corner cafés, changes in East London towards the queues for buses, skate-boarders, dogs or The exception to the rule, in my experience, 2012 Games provides information and cats, mosques or churches, just shiny happy was the local listing survey that was recently photographs from a Hackney Museum people walking pristine streets. Really? concluded. It was a project that enabled project showing how the host boroughs for many ordinary members to get effectively the 2012 Games changed between 2008 The disillusion with a dominant corporate and productively involved. I was fortunate and 2012. Hackney Council, £4.50. visual imagery and code is expressed by many artists, who remain fascinated by Spaces is published by the Hackney Society. Thanks to Kopykat for sponsoring this issue the power of entropy and unregulated use Views expressed in the articles are not (the ideas of American land artist Robert necessarily those of the Society. Kopykat Printing Limited Smithson inform the work of a number of Edited by: Monica Blake 76 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY contributors). There is more sadness than Layout by: [email protected] Tel: 020 7739 2451 Fax: 020 7729 5925 anger, though sometimes humour is the best Contributors: Monica Blake, Jerry Cooper, www.kopykat.co.uk revenge. Photographer Chris Dorley-Brown Laurie Elks, Patrice Lawrence, David Shaw Kopykat based in Shoreditch specialises in and Ken Worpole describes a series of hilarious engagements company stationery and high quality marketing Photos: Greg Goodale, Nick Perry, Morley material, we cover onsite litho printing, digital with police or security guards who try to von Sternberg and James Wright prevent him from photographing near the printing, copying and direct mail, environmentally The Hackney Society we have recently been awarded Green Mark site, revealing that the security personnel The Round Chapel, accreditation and we print using vegetable were often as confused as everybody 1d Glenarm Road, London E5 0LY based inks, without the use of alcohol T: 020 7175 1967 else as to what was really going on. The and deliver in an LPG vehicle. comradeship of the former Manor Gardens E: [email protected] allotment gardeners is remembered fondly, W: www.hackneysociety.org as are the self-sufficient lifestyles of boaters The Hackney Society is a registered Charity kopykat and members of the Clays Lane housing (No 107459) and Company limited by guarantee (No 04574188) Design and Print co-operative. If the spirit of the book can be