London’s legendary MOTH Club now under threat from second planning application for flats

nme.com:

called on local residents and fans to reach out to the borough’s planning department to contest a proposal for a new block of flats.Now they have issued another statement, explaining how two more separate proposals have gone to Hackney Council which could put them at risk.

According to the update, the move looks to develop a block of flats on Morning Lane – with one of the planned blocks having “balconies directly overlooking MOTH’s smoking area and back onto the stage wall”.“Both developments, if approved, put one of London’s most loved independent grassroots venues at serious risk, as well as impacting the identity of the local area,” they wrote, going on to explain how the close proximity to the venue would “lead to conflicts, noise complaints, and a serious threat to the venue’s ability to operate.”A post shared by MOTH CLUB (@mothclub)Sharing sketches of the proposal, the caption continued: “These proposals have been deliberately split into two applications to avoid the obligation to include social housing.

While we fully support the need for more social and council housing, building multi-storey blocks towering over an independent venue like MOTH would have devastating consequences for its future.”To conclude, they encouraged people to help back them and take action to secure the site’s future. “We’re calling on everyone to stand with MOTH Club and oppose these plans,” they added. “Please sign and share the petition to help protect MOTH Club and the local community for future generations.”At time of writing, over 600 people have signed the petition since the post was shared earlier today (November 21).