London Squares
As well as major parks like Clissold Park and Hackney Downs, Hackney has a large number of formal and informal green spaces in the form of squares and other planted areas.
The London Squares Preservation Act 1931, provides for the protection of eighteen ‘squares’ in Hackney, including smaller areas such as Mare Street Triangle and the garden enclosure at the junction of Albion Road with Clissold Crescent. The 1931 Act states that a protected square may not be used for any purposes other than an ornamental garden, pleasure ground or ground for play, rest or recreation, and that no building, structure or erection shall be created or placed on or over any protected square except such as may be necessary or convenient for the use or maintenance of the square for an authorised purpose.
Hackney Local Plan Policies affecting London Squares
The Council will normally not permit development which detracts from the character and amenity of the London Squares shown on the proposals map and will use its powers to ensure that the uses in the Squares and/or the development of adjacent areas enhances their appearance.
London Squares
Protected London Squares in Hackney are :
26 - Clapton Common
(in front of No.s 37-67) Grass enclosure
27 - Clapton Common
(in front of No.s 56-94) Grass enclosure
28 - Stamford Hill Strips
Grass enclosure
29 - Stoke Newington Church St
in front of No.s 207-223) Triangular area
30 - Albion Road
(at junction with Clissold Crescent) Triangular garden enclosure
31 - Shacklewell Lane
(junction with St Mark’s Rise and Cecilia Road) Triangular enclosure and green
32 - Fasset Square
Central garden enclosure
33 - Clapton Square
Central garden enclosure
34 - Cassland Crescent
(in front of 11-39 Cassland Road) Garden enclosure
35 - Kenton Road
(at junction with Valentine Road and Bentham Road) Triangular enclosure
36 - St Thomas’s Square
Central garden and enclosure
37 - Mare Street triangle
(at junction with Westgate Street) Triangular enclosure
38 - Goldsmiths Square
(at rear of Teale Street buildings) Recreation ground
39 - Albion Square
Central garden enclosure
40 - Stonebridge Common
(at junction of Haggerston Road and Mayfield Road) Triangular enclosure
41 - De Beauvoir Square
Central garden and enclosure
172 - Hoxton Square
Central garden enclosure
173 - Charles Square
Central garden enclosure
174 - Windsor Terrace
(junction with City Road) Enclosure
Page updated: 28 Feb 2007