Public Inquiry to be held over Council’s plans to build on Marshes

An artist’s impression of the planned pavilion on Hackney Marshes. Photograph: Hackney Council

Campaign group Save Lea Marshes are celebrating after the Planning Inspectorate has decided to hold a public inquiry into Council plans to build a new sports pavilion on Hackney Marshes.

Hackney Council’s plans for a £3.6 million sports pavilion on the North Marsh have been met with opposition from the campaign group.

The building, which would replace the current facilities next to Cow Bridge, would comprise of 16 changing rooms for football and cricket teams, a kitchen, storage space and a viewing gallery for the show cricket pitch created in 2010.

A new car park with 68 spaces to be built to the west of the proposed pavilion is also included in the plans.

Save Lea Marshes want the council to build within its original footprint rather than create a new building on open land and have handed the council a petition, signed by 600 people, calling for the Town Hall to rethink its plans.

Caroline Day of Save Lea Marshes said she was “very pleased” with the Planning Inspectorate’s decision. She said: “It’s a chance to examine the proposals in more detail and show why they are unsuitable.

“All members of the community will have their say, that can only be a good thing. We encourage people to attend, the marshes are for everyone.

“We all have a lot to do. We don’t have top lawyers or planning consultants paid for by the taxpayer. We have what we believe to be logical and clear arguments as to why we don’t want to have unnecessary buildings on our precious green space or to bring more cars onto the marshes.

“The council presents it as the only and best option, but it is neither.”

Hackney Council’s Corporate Director of Health & Community Services, Kim Wright said: “We await notification from the Planning Inspectorate of the date and duration of the inquiry.”

Today (September 29) is the last day for members of the public to send objections to the Hackney planning committee about the proposals.