Kingsland Shopping Centre plans: clash with developers over car culture
How the retail and housing development could look if Criterion Capital’s plans go ahead. Image: Criterion Capital
Hackney Council’s planning chief is at odds with developer Criterion Capital over the issue of parking provision at a massive new retail and housing scheme being touted as a replacement for the outdated Kingsland Shopping Centre.
Criterion wants to overhaul completely the 1980s-era mall as part of a scheme that would bring big changes to Dalston.
Planning sub-committee chair Councillor Vincent Stops has made no secret of the fact he wants to see access for motorists kept to a minimum as part of any new plans.
But a long lease held by Sainsbury’s could put paid to his preference for pedestrian-friendly schemes because it means developers are required to build around a large branch of Sainsbury’s that currently sits within the shopping centre and are thus obliged to provide enough parking space for customers who drive.
Architect Andrew Waugh, who drew up plans for the new development, said: “The unfortunate truth is that the viability of the centre does rely to some extent on some people from outside the area driving to it.”
Other bones of contention include the future of Dalston’s Eastern Curve Garden.
Mr Waugh says the hope is to retain it, but Bill Parry-Davies of campaign group OPEN Dalston has warned designs for a new thoroughfare to be built through land now occupied by the green space “will with certainty kill the garden.”
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