Residents ‘relieved’ after derelict Mecca Bingo hall wins council reprieve

‘Stop the block’: a poster protesting against the new development pasted on the Mecca Bingo building. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

An old bingo hall on Hackney Road will live to fight another day after councillors voted to delay a decision on its future this month (5 April).

Hundreds of people recently protested against proposals from developer Hackney Property Holdings (HPH) to tear down the former Mecca Bingo site and replace it with luxury flats.

Campaigner Lucy Rogers welcomed the ruling by Hackney Council’s planning committee, which recommended lowering the height of one of the tower blocks due to its impact on nearby homes.

Speaking on behalf of all the residents opposed to the project, Rogers said: “We are glad that the decision to permit this damaging scheme has been deferred and that one aspect of its anti-social impact might be changed.

“A key decision-making meeting that allows residents only five minutes to make an alternative case is not a fair way to decide the future of this large and well known site.”

HPH paid £4.5 million for the building in 2014 and wants to turn it into offices and luxury homes.

But councillors Vincent Stops, Barry Buitekant and Susan Fajana-Thomas said the developer’s designs need more work before they can be approved.

The only other councillor in attendance, Michael Levy, voted against a deferral.

One of the main objections to HPH’s plans is the loss of community space. Rogers spoke of her “shock” when it was revealed during the meeting that the developers had negotiated a £50,000 deal to refurbish a nearby alternative, the Fellows Court Community Centre.

It is against planning rules for a new piece of information to be presented during a committee meeting and be used as part of a decision. Rogers said: “This £50,000 appearing out of nowhere is outrageous. It adds to the feeling that the community is continually on the outside when it comes to decision-making, as though we’re just an irritation.”

The committee also heard that an application to list the bingo hall has been submitted to Historic England. The site housed an Odeon in the 1930. The Cinema Theatre Association has called for the building to be retained.

Hackney Citizen attempted to contact HPH for comment.