More heritage demolished in Dalston
The Ashwin Street houses are reduced to rubble. Photo: © Hackney Citizen
Demolition work has begun on four derelict properties on Ashwin Street owned by Hackney Council.
The draft Dalston Area Action Plan stated that demolition of 4-8 Ashwin Street would only be considered if saving all or part of the historic buildings was not a viable option, and if they were replaced by a “landmark exemplar building.”
A Council spokesperson stated: “Planning permission is not needed to demolish buildings unless they sit in a conservation area or have listed status – these buildings do not. However, more importantly, these buildings were structurally unsound and are being demolished to protect public safety. The Council liaised closely with the owners of the neighbouring buildings before the work began to let them know the work would be taking place.”
OPEN Dalston, a local group campaigning for the restoration of the historic houses, claims that a structural survey to determine whether parts of the original facades could have been saved was never completed.
Anyone know what’s going to happen to the bookie’s which now stands out even more? I notice some of the William Hill sign has fallen away to reveal an antique-looking sign underneath. The building itself certainly looks like it’s of an elaborate Victorian vintage underneath the shabby paintwork.
Will it stay as a William Hill? Is it going to go the same way as 4-8 Ashwin Street?
Actually I’ve just Googled it and found out it used to be a pub called the Railway Tavern.
Hackney Council’s statement is misleading and untrue. Hackney had owned the buidings since the mid-1980s and let them rot. It was well aware that an owner has no right to demolish residential buildings which have fallen into an unsafe condition due to the owners action or neglect. In such a case it must either demonstrate that the buildings can not practicable be made safe or apply for full planning permission. It demolished them to avoid going applying to its Planning Committee because its own survey showed the front elevations, with some rebuilding, could have been saved so that, under the planning policy for the street, planning permission to demolish would have been refused.
Just a point of clarification. Bulldozers are VERY rarely used to carry out demolition work. In fact, your photograph shows a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (the red machine on the left) and a hydraulic excavator (the yellow one on the right). Don’t want to be pedantic but thought you’d like to know.
Many thanks for your clarification, Mark. We’ve now revised the photo caption. – Ed.