Britannia Leisure Centre Pic: Save Britannia Leisure Centre Campaign
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has approved the £384m redevelopment plans for the Britannia Leisure Centre in Shoreditch, marking the end of the longstanding fight between the council and oppenents of the scheme.
The plans, originally passed by Hackney’s Planning Sub-Committee on November 7, were given Khan’s approval on November 26.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “This scheme will deliver a modern leisure center, a new school and much needed new housing.
The Mayor understands that there were some concerns from local residents but having considered the application in detail believes it will have a positive impact in Hackney.”
The model produced for the proposed development Pic: Save Britannia Leisure Centre Campaign
As recently reported by Eastlondonlines, the Save Britannia Leisure Centre campaign had lobbied Khan asking him to stop the project, as it contravened the planning guidance in several areas.
One of the main points of contention was the housing developments, which, if implemented, would leave only 17 percent to social rent and shared ownership, allotting the rest to private sale.
The campaign’s leader, Pat Turnbull, 71, said: “We are very disappointed that the Mayor of London has not taken the opportunity to protect Hackney people from the harmful effects of the Britannia Development Plan.”
She added: “It seems as if all the many breaches of the London and Hackney planning advice were simply brushed aside. All of us who wrote to the Mayor received only a standard email in acknowledgment.”
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said: “It’s fantastic that this ambitious scheme has been approved and we can now get on with building these much-needed new facilities for Hackney’s current and future generations.”
Hackney needs improved leisure provision and hundreds of more school places. I’m very proud that, despite ongoing government cuts to our funding, our Council is finding innovative ways to keep investing in our communities.”
