MOTH Club Hackney hits out at Morning Lane flats plans

MOTH club, a former servicepeople’s club in Valette Street that has hosted gigs by the likes of Lady Gaga and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, is worried that new neighbours might make noise complaints that would restrict its events.

It has urged Hackney Council to reject dual planning applications that would see two six-storey buildings built “inches away” from the venue in Morning Lane.

Keith Miller, one of the directors of LNZRT, which runs events at the club, has claimed that building flats next to the venue makes little sense.

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“The flats are going to be right on top of the smoking area,” he said. “There are going to be balconies out where people queue for gigs seven days a week.

“Club nights run until 3am, so we just don’t really see how that dovetails together.

“Realistically it’s not going to be easy for the people living there and we want to stop it.”

He said that a former venue he worked at in Shoreditch had to shut down after neighbours living in newly built flats made noise complaints, adding that he fears history might now repeat itself.

“You make most of your money between 10pm and 3am,” he explained. “So, if our security costs go up or we lose an hour on our licence then the place just won’t be viable.”

Dual planning applications to build neighbouring blocks of flats in Morning Lane have been submitted to Hackney Council, with Stephen Davy Peter Smith Architects acting as the planning agents for both (Image: Stephen Davy Peter Smith Architects)

A change.org petition opposing plans for the new flats has so far gathered more than 11,000 signatures.

“We want to present our case to the council clearly and concisely, but we do need public help,” Keith said.  

“We really believe the petition gives our concerns credibility. It shows that there is this feeling in the local community that people really love the space and don’t want it to be underset.”

He also claimed that the venue was not consulted about the development prior to planning applications being submitted to the council.

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“No communication and no consultation don’t really create a great atmosphere,” Keith explained.

“If you’re planning on getting something like this through, it’s just courtesy to say – we’re going to be building right on top of you guys.”

Planning documents list different applicants for the two blocks of flats, one at 2 Morning Lane and one at number 6.

Both proposals have Stephen Davy Peter Smith Architects listed as the planning agents. The Hackney Gazette has approached the firm for a response.