Second exhibition set for Sainsbury’s Stoke Newington proposal
Sainsbury's: Destination Hackney? Photograph: Graham Richardson
Four Communications, the PR company criticised for a ‘flawed’ consultation on the proposed Sainsbury’s at Wilmer Place in Stoke Newington, will be holding a second public exhibition following local outrage over the first.
Supermarket representatives and developers will attend the meeting in advance of any submission of a formal planning application.
Jamie Beevor of Stokey Local, a community group created in response to the planned development, described the news as “encouraging”.
He said: “We heard they were reconsidering the proposals. Now let’s see what they come up with.”
Rosanne Berry, Chair of Stoke Newington Business Association said: “As much discussion as possible is necessary on a public issue of this kind.”
Local councillor Daniel Stevens told the Hackney Citizen: “We welcome the developer’s commitment to hold a second public exhibition before submitting a formal planning application. In the absence of a public meeting it does at least offer some form of further engagement with the local community.”
He added: “There must be a clear and transparent process in place to ensure that the developer records and reports back on the issues that get raised.”
Rumours have been circulating that One Housing, who were originally identified as the managing agent of the ‘affordable housing’ on the site were not intending to enter the consortium.
However, a spokesperson for the not-for-profit organisation told the Hackney Citizen: “One Housing Group made an offer some time ago for the section 106 units as the affordable homes provider for Wilmer Place, Stoke Newington. We are yet to hear if our offer has been accepted.”
Initial opposition to the development was raised in July by small businesses, local residents and politicians who branded the first consultation exercise for the retail development in the heart of Stoke Newington, ‘biased and unfair’.
Further outrage followed when it was discovered that Four Communications had been awarded a contract by Hackney Council to build a website to promote the borough, and that local councillor Karen Alcock, who represents constituents in a ward close to the development, works for Four Communications.
However, both Four Communications and Hackney Council have said they do not have any conflicts of interest concerning the Wilmer Place development.
Four Communications has released a statement from Newmark Properties LLP and Sainsbury’s regarding the consultation and inviting the public to the second meeting, saying: “We are committed to ongoing consultation with the local community and prior to submitting a planning application we will hold another public exhibition which we will invite local residents and business owners to.”
A date for the exhibition has not yet been set.
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