More heritage demolished in Dalston

The Ashwin Street houses are reduced to rubble. Photo: © Hackney Citizen

Demolition work has begun on four derelict properties on Ashwin Street owned by Hackney Council.

The draft Dalston Area Action Plan stated that demolition of 4-8 Ashwin Street would only be considered if saving all or part of the historic buildings was not a viable option, and if they were replaced by a “landmark exemplar building.”

A Council spokesperson stated: “Planning permission is not needed to demolish buildings unless they sit in a conservation area or have listed status – these buildings do not. However, more importantly, these buildings were structurally unsound and are being demolished to protect public safety. The Council liaised closely with the owners of the neighbouring buildings before the work began to let them know the work would be taking place.”

OPEN Dalston, a local group campaigning for the restoration of the historic houses, claims that a structural survey to determine whether parts of the original facades could have been saved was never completed.