News in Brief March 2010
100-plus new homes
Construction work on over 100 new homes for social renting will begin soon at three housing estates in Hackney.
The Council’s planning committee agreed proposals on 10 March to build 114 new homes for Ottaway Court and Rendlesham House, in E5, and Bridport House in Colville Estate, N1. It is all part of a wider programme to build new social rented homes on Hackney estates, which has received £16million in Government funding through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) since last year.
The HCA funding is part of a new Government initiative allowing local authorities to build new homes for social rent for the first time in several decades.
George McGee, Chair of the Six Estates Steering Group, said: “This is absolutely marvellous news – there is a real need for new social rented homes in Hackney, and the Council has been very successful in securing grant funding for this from the HCA.”
Construction is set to begin soon, with Bridport House tenants being re-housed, while sites at Ottaway Court and Rendlesham House are already cleared.
The Council has been working with residents to draw up plans for the regeneration work, including family homes with gardens and balconies, and open spaces.
22 March 2010
Sisters doing it for themselves
More than 130 young women from across Hackney celebrated International Women’s Day at a free event at the Ocean in Mare Street.
The day offered activities for 13 to 19-year-old women in the borough. Hackney’s first annual Public Speaking Championship for young women launched the 11 March event and was won by Bridge Academy in a closely fought battle with Hackney Free and Parochial, Frampton Park Girls’ Group and Haggerston School.
There were a range of workshops and an all-female talent show finale closed the event. Winning contestant, singer Kiyah Sesay, 15, from Homerton, received £100 in shopping vouchers.The event was organised by Hackney’s Young Women’s Group with support from Youth Services and the Youth Opportunity Fund. For info call: 07849 075 130; or email: ciara.mcdonnell@hackney.gov.uk
22 March 2010
Blue Badge fraudsters fined
Four people have pleaded guilty to charges of misusing Blue Badges, following proceedings brought by Hackney Council.
The prosecutions, at Thames Magistrates Court on 10 March, are part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to wipe out Blue Badge fraud in the borough. Since August, an antifraud team has been working to crack down on people who abuse the national disabled parking scheme.
Abbas Ud-dean Ahmad, 35, of Westrow Drive, Ilford; Kurat Chuhan, 24, of Brooke Road, E5; Besim Hisenaj, 41, of Oval Road, NW1; and Daniel Merrifield-Blissett, 20, of Albion Road, E8, all pleaded guilty and were all fined.
Since January, the Council has brought eight successful prosecutions for Blue Badge fraud. Between them, the perpetrators committed 22 offences. The Blue Badge scheme exists to give disabled people crucial access to the services and amenities they need.
To find out about the rules of Blue Badge use; or to report suspicions of fraud, call: 020 8356 8866; or email: bluebadgefraud@hackney.gov.uk
22 March 2010
Let’s face it
A free exhibition of masks from around the world is now on display at Hackney Museum. It features collections from Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Japan, Mali and Bali.
One exhibit is a leather mask from Italy made in the tradition of the Commedia del Arte – the comic theatre of Renaissance Italy. Another illustrates the Noh tradition, a form of musical theatre developed in 14th century Japan. Visitors will be able to design their own masks to go on display.
Behind The Mask is on at Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8, until 8 May 2010. For info call: 020 8356 3500; or email: hmuseum@hackney.gov.uk
22 March 2010
Going the distance
Young athletes showed talent in middle distance running during the London Youth Games mini marathon trials.
Competitors from Hackney, Haringey, Islington and City of London raced across 2km and 4km at Finsbury Park on 7 March, with the top eight in each age group being selected by their borough to take part in this year’s Virgin London Mini Marathon.
Hackney’s Stanley Harrison and Alexander Machin-Paley won the boys’ 13 to 14-year-old, and 11 to 12-year old categories, respectively; while Genevieve Weston from London Heathside Athletics Club came second in the girls’ 11 to 12-year-old race.
There are still Hackney team places available for the mini marathon on 25 April, which is open to 11 to 17-year-olds. If you would like to take part call: 020 8356 2230; or email: info@hackney.gov.uk.
22 March 2010
Passing judgement
Pupils from Hackney’s Bridge Academy have come runners-up in the local heat of a national magistrates’ court mock trial competition.
They went head to head with Camden’s Acland Burghley on 6 March at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, Islington.
The two teams of 12 to 15-year-olds took turns in prosecuting and defending a fictional case of a gang-related knife crime. Students took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff. Judging was carried out by real magistrates and legal professionals. Magistrate Mel Simon said: “The standard of performance was extremely high this year, the outcome was a real cliff-hanger.”
22 March 2010
£15k dance marathon
An eight-hour dance marathon at Hoxton Hall, featuring a stand-up routine from comedienne Jo Brand, has raised £15,000 for a Kingsland Road-based head and brain injury charity. More than 100 people danced for eight hours in support of Headway East London on 27 February. The charity’s patron, Jo, said:
“Headway are offering a fantastic service, which has really changed from when I first got involved. I was going to go and try and dance but I’m a bit scared I’ll use up too many calories.”
For info visit: www.headwayeastlondon.org
22 March 2010
Money for young athletes
Grassroots sporting talent could benefit from a cash boost in the latest round of Hackney Youth Sports Fund awards.
Successful applicants will receive money for equipment and training.
Young sportspeople, community clubs, and coaches holding a national governing body qualification but aiming for a higher level can all apply. The fund was set up in 2007, after the Council received a £300,000 out of court settlement from Nike for the firm’s unauthorised use of the Hackney logo on its clothing. Applications close on 1 April. For info call: 020 8356 4897; or, email: darren.english@hackney.gov.uk
8 March 2010
Empire public meeting
Residents are reminded there will be a public meeting about future plans for the Hackney Empire on 11 March. It will be an opportunity to ask questions of a panel of the Empire’s senior staff and Board of Trustees, plus officers from the Arts Council and Hackney Council. It takes place in the Empire’s main auditorium, Mare Street, E8, from 6.30-8pm.
If people can’t attend, email suggested questions to: info@hackneyempire.co.uk
8 March 2010
A pledge for tolerance and understanding Council opposes sale of homes
Crown Estate proposals to sell off homes in Hackney were formally opposed at a Council meeting on 3 March.
Following a statement by Mayor Jules Pipe against the sale, a motion by Victoria ward councillors – to fight the sale of over 1,000 homes on estates across London, including Victoria Park – was passed unanimously.
The Crown Estate, which manages Royal land and buildings, is consulting with residents, but has not yet stated if the homes would be sold to a private or Registered Social Landlord, whether tenancies would remain secure, or if affordable and keyworker housing will be kept.
Mayor Pipe said: “Tenants of these homes include people who have lived there for over 60 years, young families and key workers. We’ll be doing everything we can to secure continued keyworker and affordable housing, and to protect current tenants’ rights.”
A Crown Estate spokesman said: “No decision will be made until the consultation closes. Nobody will lose their home under this proposal including those on assured shorthold tenancies, which are protected by law.”
8 March 2010
Church Street two-way traffic
A one-way traffic diversion on Stoke Newington Church Street is due to be removed on 12 March as new pavements and road surfacing is completed.
Major work to regenerate the area along Church Street started last September following the Council’s consultation with residents and businesses. Footway works, at the end of the road between Wilmer Place and the High Street, will continue without the need for a diversion, and are expected to be completed in April. For info call: 020 8346 2897; or email: info@hackney.gov.uk
8 March 2010
Matalan murder conviction
A teenager who stabbed Matalan store manager, Jamie Simpson, during a failed robbery, has been found guilty of murder.
Mr Simpson was attacked on 22 March 2008 as he cashed up after the Dalston Kingsland store closed. The 33-year-old, from Herne Hill, South London, was stabbed in the neck and back.
Kobina Essel, 19, from East London was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on 22 February. Simeon Jumah, 25, of Eighth Avenue, E12; Anthony Maina, 20, of no fixed address; and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were convicted of manslaughter. Duane Owusu, 20, of no fixed address; Jamal Chambers, 18, of Broomfield Street, E14; and Roy Williams, 31, of Regan House, N18 were also convicted of conspiracy to rob.
The court heard the group planned to rob the store over the Easter weekend hoping to get up to ?30,000. Jamie’s parents Lorna, 54, and Lambert Simpson, 57, were in court as the verdicts came through. Lorna, said: “No sentence can provide justice for the sickening betrayal we've encountered at the hands of his killers.”
8 March 2010
Down with it
A homeowner who demolished his house to build a much larger property without planning permission, now faces having to knock it down after the Council issued an enforcement notice.
Jacob Dreyfuss, of 40 Lingwood Road, E5, appealed, but this was dismissed by the Planning Inspector on the grounds the development ‘harms’ the area’s character and is an ‘unacceptable loss of privacy’ for neighbours.
Mr Dreyfuss now has 12 months to comply with the notice. If he fails to do so, the Council could prosecute him.
In 2001, Mr Dreyfuss successfully applied to extend the rear of his two-storey property. But instead, the house was knocked down to create a three-storey house with cellar.
Mr Dreyfuss must now adapt and rebuild the house in line with planning requirements or face it being demolished.
8 March 2010
100-plus homes proposed
Over 100 new homes for social renting are proposed for Ottaway Court and Rendlesham House in E5, and Bridport House in Colville Estate, N1.
The Council has been working with residents to draw up the regeneration proposals, including family homes with gardens and balconies; and open spaces.
They form part of a wider programme to build new social rented homes on Hackney estates, which has received £16million in Government funding since September 2009.
Bridport House tenants are being re-housed. The Ottaway Court and Rendlesham House sites are already cleared.
The Council’s planning sub-committee is set to decide on the proposals on 10 March.
8 March 2010
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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