HACKNEY FIGHT

Hackney Council have served planning enforcement notices against the Antepavilion structures HVAC, 2017, and Potemkin Theatre, 2019. They added to this in 2020 by serving an enforcement notice against the displaying of art installations, which targeted that year’s Antepavilion, Sharks!. This was accompanied by a Stop Noice and Legal Injunction.

They claim that the installations don't respect the architectural quality of the 1960s warehouse of Columbia Wharf and have branded them "unacceptable in terms of their size, location and design," but they don't have anyone else on their side. The overwhelming response of local people is 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

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. So is the question of who specifically within the Council is driving it. Currently they are withholding that information - contrary to their duties under the Freedom of Information Act. Similarly, they are refusing to reveal how much Council money they have spent on continuing their legal actions.

Planning Inquiry

Stop Notice

Legal Injunction

Guardian Newspaper

Canal and River Trust