[title]
Two popular venues in Hackney say they are at risk of closure because of a proposed housing development. Rooftop bar Netil360 and club and cocktail bar NT’s Loft say that a block of luxury flats on the corner of Bocking Street and Mare Street could cause both venues to shut down.
Yesterday (January 30), Netil360 shared a post on Instagram that said it was ‘at risk’. ‘Following a planning proposal submitted to Hackney Council to develop a block of luxury flats on Bocking Street, the development will put two on East London’s hallmark venues at risk, as well as the long term locals who’ll have a six story building towering over their homes,’ the post wrote.
The developer wants to build a six-storey block of 38 homes, of which half (19) are proposed as affordable, on Bocking Street.
But according to the owners of Netil360, which is on the fourth floor of Netil House, ‘The flats will overlook the terrace and smoking area of NT’s Loft, as well as tower over Netil360, our open air rooftop venue whose very essence is the view over London.’
View this post on Instagram
The owner of the rooftop bar said he would consider closing the venue if the flats were built, as it would no longer have a view of London, with punters instead looking directly into the new homes. Locals are also concerned that the new block would result in loss of daylight and would harm the Beck Road conservation area, which is home to historic low-rise houses.
Both spots are campaigning for Londoners to email Hackney Council to oppose the plans. You can read more about the development on the Hackney Council website.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: ‘We have received a planning application from a private developer for a new development on this site. Like any local authority, we have a duty to assess the application against our planning policies, guidelines and other material planning considerations.
‘This includes requirements around affordable housing and impact on neighbouring properties – including applying the agent of change principle which places the onus on a new development to mitigate for noise, rather than existing venues having to change how they operate.’
In September, east London venue Moth Club said it also could be threatened by a new housing development which would overlook its smoking area.
A massive free public wi-fi network is being rolled out across central London.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.