Save The Light

Built in 1893, this former power station is an historic landmark. It is the first building that you see in Hackney when you approach from the City and as such it separates two very different areas. Now Hammerson would like to demolish the building and erect a 53 storey tower block in it’s place.

Hackney Council has ignored advice of English Heritage and its own independent advisors who say that The Light building should be included in the Shoreditch High Street conservation area. Hackney Council prefers to support Hammerson’s overbearing development.

This is not the first time that The Light has been threatened in this way. In 2004 a smaller scheme proposed to demolish The Light. With the help of over 1500 friends and customers The Light was saved. We can defend it again with your help.

We believe that to demolish The Light is wholly unnecessary:

• The Light is a landmark building – the first seen by those entering Hackney from the City of London. The proposals do not include an appropriate replacement to the street scene
• The Light supports a thriving business employing local people
• The social and industrial heritage represented by The Light would benefit a modern scheme by adding variety of scale and design
• We believe the full scheme could be re-designed and go ahead without the need to demolish The Light

There is future community value in retaining The Light.

Please make your views known to the Hackney Council, you can make your views known in a number of ways:

Sign the online petition, or one of the petitions at The Light, 233 Shoreditch High Street. Over 5,000 people have already signed!

If you are a Hackney resident you can write to the Council, addressing your letter / e-mail to your local Councillor who can raise the matter on your behalf.

To find out who your local Councillor is and their email address visit: http://www.hackney.gov.uk/w-wards-list.htm

Secondly, you can write or e-mail to the planning department if you are not a Hackney resident, stating why you think The Light should be saved at:

Planning Department – Hackney Town Hall
Mare Street, Hackney E8 1EA

Or e-mail for the planning department: andrew.dillon@hackney.gov.uk

You can also speak to your local Councillor or officers of the Council, either by telephone or in person. Please bear in mind that it would be helpful to make an appointment or go to one of their Surgerys if you want to speak to someone in person.

Further info:

You might be interested in the book ‘The Great Eastern Light’ by J.E. Connor published in 2000, available for download here. To request a printed copy of the book please e-mail zoen@stirlingackroyd.com with your name and address.