A massive, high-density housing development is planned on the doorstep of the much cherished Graham Road and Mapledene Conservation Area. One hundred and twenty people who live and work in the area have already signed letters of objection to Hackney Council outlining their concerns. This redevelopment is also strongly opposed by OPEN Dalston, SAVE Britain's Heritage and Dalston Conservation Area Advisory Committee.

The key concerns are that this development is:
* over-developed (exploiting Dalston's new-found cool factor);
* too tall (ignoring the council's own guidelines);
* aesthetically inappropriate (looming over a conservation area);
* over-stretching local services (parking, schools, doctors etc.);
* undermining local employment (up to 60% reduction in area);
* lacking in affordable housing (only 19%, Hackney's target is 50%);
* being steamrollered through by the planners.

We need to move fast! The council's planning sub-committee will discuss and potentially approve this application at its next meeting on 6th March 2013.

For a graphic illustration of how it will impact on the conservation area, see View 4 in this link http://bit.ly/W35ENC (PDF document)

You can find more background on the proposed application in Loving Dalston, Hackney's independent news website, at http://lovingdalston.co.uk/2011/05/e8-flats-green-power-doubts/. Or see the full planning application on Hackney Council's planning portal at http://bit.ly/11TtPpR