Newmark Properties submit revised application – COMMENT NOW
On Wednesday 8 May 2013, Greg Cohen of Newmark Properties wrote to neighbours of the Wilmer Place site to tell them a revised planning application has been submitted which they feel addresses the three reasons for refusal of the previous scheme. The changes proposed are modest and our previous objections still apply. A whole new consultation period began, and ends this coming Wednesday 19 June. If you still feel this development is not right for Wilmer Place, it’s important that you write again and ask your friends and neighbours to consider doing the same. The deadline is important, but if you miss it, write anyway. For more information on the latest application, click here.
Wilmer Place application rejected by Planning Committee
We are pleased to report that on the evening of Wednesday 3rd April 175 Stokey Local supporters packed Hackney’s Council Chamber to observe the council’s Planning Committee. The committee heard the planning officer’s report and arguments against and for the development and, after nearly two hours, rejected the application by 4 votes to 2.
Big thanks to everyone who turned out last night, everyone who spent time at the farmers market collecting petitions, everyone who joined our zombie parade (which helped publicise our opposition), the local store keepers who supported us throughout, and everyone who signed the petition.
Special mention must go to our speakers last night: Nick, Russell and Damian who had the impossible task of covering our objections in just five minutes between them. Big thanks must also go to the two Labour Councillors who spoke out at the meeting, Daniel Stevens and Louisa Thompson (they had five minutes each, and used every second to great effect). We also had support from across the political spectrum, with both the Greens and Lib Dems actively supporting the campaign.
What next?
Well as you might expect representatives of the developer were far from happy and have informed us that they will appeal the decision. This may have just been bravado, but none the less we will need to be vigilant. Typically in such circumstances, the developer will either appeal or come back with a revised proposal. Which is why we, as a community, need to be ready, if necessary to fight ‘Round two’.
Reflection and a celebration
We have won a great victory, both in terms of the planning decision, but also in building an incredible and strong network of Stokey residents who care about our area. We would like to capture your thoughts about the campaign (what went well, what could be improved etc) and we also want your ideas as to how we can celebrate this success. Please click here and let us know your thoughts.
Thanks again to all you wonderful people!
We couldn’t have done it without all the amazing support, time and effort given by the people of Stoke Newington.
The Wilmer Place Proposal
In the middle of June 2011 it was announced that a development is being planned for Wilmer Place, just beside Abney Park Cemetery on the corner of Church Street and the High Street – right in the heart of Stoke Newington. After public outcry about the proposal the developers revised their plans and held a second public exhibition on Tuesday 29th May and submitted a planning application after that. A further planning application was submitted in February 2013.
The original application for the proposed development comprised a large Sainsbury’s supermarket of 16,000 square feet (about the same size as the one on Stamford Hill) and 68 flats. For more information about this development please click here and also check out the developer’s Wilmer Place website. We will update this website shortly to reflect the content of the second planning application.
Existing Supermarkets & Grocery Shops in the Area
This proposal comes as an addition to a raft of existing supermarkets in the area, including the Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express on the High Street, the Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s on Stamford Hill (both of which are similar in size to the proposed Sainsbury’s), as well as a Tesco Express and large Sainsbury’s down towards Dalston.
In short the area is already well stocked with supermarkets, but more importantly there is also a large number of small, independent shops which supply an amazing range of high quality, fresh food and which have to compete against these existing supermarkets in a very challenging economic climate.
We encourage everyone to support these independents as much as possible and explore the interesting foods that they have to offer. We have created a map of existing shops which shows the diversity of grocery shops which we have in the local area, many of which would be adversely affeted by the new supermarket.
What Can You Do About This?
There will be a further consultation period during which you will be able to register your views on the development with the planning officers. We will publish information about how to go about this here.
