‘Sad day for Dalston’ as diggers get green light to demolish Georgian houses

One of the Georgian era homes to be demolished under the council’s plan

A decade-long battle by campaign group OPEN Dalston to save a string of Georgian houses is over after a judge has turned down a request for one last appeal.

The Save Dalston Lane campaigners had hoped to appeal against Judge Justice Collins’ ruling that Hackney Council’s decision to demolish the houses was lawful.

But Judge Lord Justice Sullivan has refused the group permission to appeal, and given the diggers the green light to start demolition works.

Numbers 66-76 Dalston Lane will now be demolished as part of the developers first phase. The flats will be rebuilt in “heritage likeness”, with new flats for private sale.

The ongoing fight to save the houses, painstakingly documented by Bill Parry-Davies on his blog, has received support from the local community, which over the years has donated thousands of pounds to the cause.

The campaigners tweeted:

SAD DAY: court’s refusal to permit @OPENDalston‘s appeal leaves no prospect of saving 66 Dalston Lane from bulldozers pic.twitter.com/Ggw1LEIs5C

— Save Dalston Lane (@SaveDalstonLane) January 16, 2015

Responding to the judge’s decision, Mr Parry-Davies said it was a “sad day for Dalston”. He said: “OPEN felt we at least had try to save Dalston Terrace, a rare vestige of Georgian heritage, and to secure some affordable housing for local people. The community has donated thousands to the fight.”

“Hackney deliberately neglected these heritage assets to a perilous condition and then agreed that its development partner Murphy could demolish everything and build private flats.

“Hackney still calls it a ‘genuine conservation scheme’ although nothing will be preserved. It has cost millions in lost rents and now heritage assets and affordable homes will be lost to future generations.

“There remain several important houses in Phase 2 of Murphy’s demolition plan and so it’s not over yet”

A Council spokesman said previously: “This is a step forward to finally bring back into use this part of Dalston Lane, to provide space for existing and new businesses, as well as for new homes.”