HACKNEY FIGHT
Hackney Council served planning enforcement notices against the Antepavilion structures HVAC (2017) and Potemkin Theatre (2019). In 2020 they served an enforcement notice against displaying of art installations, which targeted that year’s Antepavilion, Sharks!. This was accompanied by a Stop Noice and Legal Injunction.
Hackney claimed that the installations don't respect the architectural quality of the 1960s warehouse of Columbia Wharf and branded them "unacceptable in terms of their size, location and design," but the overwhelming response of local people was that they're a positive contribution to the surroundings, adding an architectural quality and texture to the humble, utilitarian Hoxton Docks.
A good overview video explaining the legal battles was made by CGPGrey, which can be found here.
Following a seven day planning inquiry, the inspectorate ruled that the display of art at the Hoxton Docks was a legal use. In 2022 Hackney Council again attempted to block the display of Sharks! by refusing to determine a planning application for the display of Sharks!. Following another appeal, the inspectorate awarded Sharks! planning permision.
The legal documents and correspondence below offer a comprehensive overview of the workings of the Council in its determined attack on Antepavilion. As there is overwhelming public support for our work, their motivation is a matter of speculation.