A popular Hackney music venue has warned it is facing a “serious threat” from plans to build a block of flats opposite the building.
MOTH Club, which has hosted events with the Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl, Jamie XX and Lady Gaga, has asked gig goers to object to proposals for a six-storey building to be constructed at 6 Morning Lane.
The site could be bulldozed and replaced with seven flats, with one, two or three bedrooms, council documents show.
MOTH Club told its Instagram followers: “To any Hackney-based MOTH Club lovers out there, we’re calling for your support to object to a recent planning application for new flats being built opposite the venue on Morning Lane.
“As well as hosting live shows, comedy, film and club nights MOTH has been in existence since 1972 as an ex-serviceperson club and is still used by MOTH members regularly with monthly meetings held in their private meeting room in the upper parts of the premises. Any new builds will pose a serious threat to the future of our venue and the gold ceiling!”
The venue’s general manager told TimeOut that they are concerned that the new flats “could create a real shadow over the venue” and explained that the proposed flat’s balconies will look onto the back of the club.
Edie Andrews said: “People come from all over England and Europe to see gigs here. We welcome people like they’re coming into our living room.
“We really feel [the development] would ruin something we’ve all worked tirelessly for years to create.
“Flats are going up all over Hackney, and it’s like every little area of Hackney history is slowly being built over.”
A spokesperson for Stephen Davy Peter Smith Architects, which is involved in possible designs for the new flats, told TimeOut: “As far as we are aware, the planning application is with the local planning authority and is currently going through their consultation process where local residents and businesses will be given the opportunity to comment on the application.”
