London’s legendary Brick Lane could be ‘saved’ by plan to appeal controversial shopping mall

Campaigners opposing a massive development which could change the face of one of the East End’s oldest streets have welcomed a review which could halt the controversial plans. Members of the Save Brick Lane Campaign were granted a judicial review into the decision to build a huge shopping mall on the popular street.

The review could see the plans change or thrown out completely. Tower Hamlets Council approved plans to build offices, shops and a gym on the site of the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane last year.

The revamp would replace the current building and the 140 small businesses it houses. Locals and campaigners have argued the plans would seriously damage the history and culture of Brick Lane and the surrounding area.

Saif Osmani, campaigner and founder of the Bengali East End Heritage Society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he hoped the controversial development would be overturned. He argued the Brick Lane plans would set a dangerous precedent throughout the UK for eroding historical sites.

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He said: “I would say it has a significant impact on how we either create a mock view of what our heritage architecture is, or we start to take a much more nuanced and sensitive way. For us as a community group [we] say ‘where is the housing which provides for people, local people?’

“Not to make a joke of it but Brick Lane is a lane – it’s not a high street and it’s being treated like some kind of high street. In the case of East London, the gentrification impact coupled with the trickle down economics of capitalism isn’t working. We’ll see what the High Court say about it. I think we have a chance. All put together there is a case to be made that the East End is a special historic place in London.”

The Save Brick Lane campaign is now looking to collect £20,000 to fight the development, and is already £7,000 towards this total. The campaigners welcomed the review on social media, saying: “We have come this far, we must continue our fight. With your support we could win this fight for Brick Lane.”

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: “The scheme approved by the Development Committee would provide affordable workspace at 45% market discount, as set out in the draft Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan. There wouldn’t be a new large open plan office space, or loss of existing shops, restaurants or other businesses.

“The building is proposed on the site of what is currently an open car park and it will also be lower in height than the neighbouring buildings on the Turman’s brewery. It is also estimated that the scheme on completion will provide over 700 jobs. We await the outcome of the judicial review.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted developers Old Truman Brewery Ltd for comment.

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https://www.mylondon.news/news/east-london-news/londons-legendary-brick-lane-could-23254429

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