Moth Club Secures Victory Against Development, But Fight Continues
Hackney’s iconic Moth Club has won a significant battle in its fight for survival, as Hackney Council has refused a planning application for a six-story building next to the venue. But, the club cautions that the struggle isn’t over, as another planning application remains under consideration.
The rejected proposal, which included six residential flats and a ground-floor commercial building on Morning Lane, was deemed unacceptable by the council due to its potential impact on the venue. According to the official planning refusal, the proposal “fails to demonstrate that the new residential use would not result in unreasonable restrictions being placed on the MOTH Club,” contravening both the London Plan and the National Policy Planning Framework. Concerns were also raised regarding insufficient affordable housing, lack of provisions for disabled residents, and the potential presence of archaeological remains on the site.
Overwhelming Public Support
The campaign to save Moth Club garnered widespread support, with over 34,000 signatures on a petition opposing the development. The venue itself actively encouraged residents to voice their opposition to the council.
Keith Miller of Moth Club expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, stating, “We finally have some news, the planning application next door to us has been refused, we wholeheartedly welcome this news. It’s the result of a huge amount of hard work from everyone at the venue, the MVT, the NTIA, Save our Scene and all of you, our supporters. Almost 35000 of you signed our petition. You helped make us heard, we did it together. We love you all!” He emphasized that the venue is “not fully out of the woods yet” due to the pending decision on a second application.
Ongoing Threat and Broader Implications
Despite this victory, Moth Club faces an ongoing threat from a second planning application for residential units at 6 Morning Lane, which backs onto the venue. The Music Venue Trust (MVT) is urging Hackney Council to reject this application as well, citing inadequate consideration for noise impact.
The MVT highlighted the importance of the case, noting that the council recognized the developer’s noise impact assessment as “fundamentally unrepresentative of the site’s acoustic environment.” They also pointed out that the proposed positioning of balconies and windows overlooking the venue would create low-quality accommodation for potential residents.
This case underscores the broader challenges facing grassroots music venues in the UK. Recent government plans aim to offer greater protection to venues subject to noise complaints, placing the responsibility for soundproofing on developers of nearby residential properties. This follows similar disputes, such as the case of Night & Day Cafe in Manchester, which faced a noise abatement notice following a complaint from a resident.
As Miller stated, “Please remember, this isn’t just about Moth Club it’s about every space, in every town or city on the planet.”
Worth a look