Built in 1893, this former power station is an historic landmark. It is the first building that you see in Hackney when you approach from the City and as such it separates two very different areas. Now a 53 storey tower block is proposed – threatening 233 Shoreditch High Street with demolition.
Following an extensive restoration by the current owners it became a thriving bar and restaurant.
This is not the first time that The Light has been threatened in this way. In 2004 a smaller scheme proposed to demolish The Light. With the help of over 1500 friends and customers The Light was saved. We can defend it again with your help.
HELP US SAVE THE LIGHT AGAIN
The Light is once again threatened with demolition by a planning application (submitted by Hammerson plc) for a hotel, offices, shops and housing on the site around The Light.
Hammerson already have planning permission for a 23 storey office block on the site adjoining The Light. They have decided not to build this and now they want to build an even bigger scheme and demolish The Light.
WHY?
We believe that to demolish The Light is wholly unnecessary:
- The Light is a landmark building – the first seen by those entering Hackney from the City of London. The proposals do not include an appropriate replacement to the street scene
- The Light supports a thriving business employing local people
- The social and industrial heritage represented by The Light would benefit a modern scheme by adding variety of scale and design
- We believe the full scheme could be re-designed and go ahead without the need to demolish The Light
There is future community value in retaining The Light.