Bishopsgate Goodsyard: Hackney and Tower Hamlets mayors in joint bid to halt scheme

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“This development cynically ignores housing policy and fails to provide homes that Londoners can afford,” said David Donoghue, a spokesperson for the More Light, More Power campaign group.

“Massive tower blocks will deprive local people of light and warmth every day of the year.”

Until September the two councils were considering the scheme proposed by Hammerson and Ballymore to redevelop the site around Shoreditch High Street.

But after lengthy revisions and negotiations, the Greater London Assembly ‘called-in’ the scheme, bypassing the local authorities and taking the decision into the Mayor of London’s hands.

The organisers of the debate, The Hackney Society and More Light More Power, claim they have invited the developers and Greater London Authority to share the platform and defend the scheme, but no one has yet been nominated.

The organisers are holding a rally at the earmarked site on Sunday 15 November, and are running a free exhibition, Bad Goods Yard, from 12-2pm daily from 12–30 November at St Leonard’s, Shoreditch.

Click here to register for the debate, taking place Monday 16 November at Shoreditch St Leonard’s Church, 7pm