Subject: GENTLE REMINDER - act now if you want to save Holborn Studios
Dear Friends
I am writing to invite you to save an important part of our industrial heritage alongside the Regent's Canal in Hackney. All you need to do is send a brief e-mail to the planning officer at Hackney Council.
At our public meeting on 23rd September there was overwhelming support for protecting the Holborn Studios buildings at Eagle Wharf. These are rare examples of old industrial buildings that break the monotony of the modern blocks that enclose and sterilise the canal throughout Hackney. They also help to sustain hundreds of jobs in the creative industries and they host a unique and well respected photographic studio complex.
This could all be lost forever if Hackney Council waives the local heritage listing status of this site and gives Galliard Homes permission to demolish or reconfigure these buildings.
Protecting industrial canalside buildings is a no-brainer for most canal supporters but on this occasion we are also promoting the positive work that goes on behind the scenes.
If you would like to object to the latest plans then please send your comments to the council by 15th October using these guidelines.
Please also visit this page to see photos of the interior of these buildings
http://friendsofregentscanal.org/galleries/Holborn-Studios/behind-scenes.html
Here are some photos that show how the neglected buildings were brought back to life by the current leaseholders.
http://friendsofregentscanal.org/features/property-devt/Eagle-Wharf/misc/transformation.html
Here is our web page that illustrates some of the features of this plan and that provides links to the detailed planning documents.
Please do not be fooled by the confident tone that is expressed in the planning documents. This is merely an application and not a done deal. The landlords will still benefit from lucrative ground rent even if the plan is rejected and we should treat their application as exploratory. Please see this page for examples of misjudgements in the planning statement.
If you are motivated to help with this campaign then please send in some comments by 15th October and do not hesitate to contact me if you need any pointers.
Best wishes
Ian ShacklockChair, Friends of Regent's Canal
9th October 2015
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