Spitalfields Market Campaign Press Release - Press Release

22nd October 2001


Allen & Overy poised to go against wishes of local community


International law firm, Allen & Overy looks set to oppose the wishes of 90% of the local community in one of London's poorest boroughs. The firm has begun negotiations to become one of the new clients to have its offices based on the controversial site at Spitalfields Market, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

If detailed planning permission is granted next month for Norman Foster's scheme, part of the much-loved Old Spitalfields Market will be demolished. Allen & Overy's new offices would be incorporated into this unwanted development. Protesters opposed to the scheme, argue that losing half of the market will encourage the incremental creep of bland, monolithic buildings into the Spitalfields area.

Spitalfields Development Group (SDG) have struggled to attract a tenant for the site after planning permission was quashed in the High Court in December 2000. Jil Cove, veteran campaigner, along with other local residents and community groups, has fought a 14-year battle with developers. The Corporation of London (the freeholders), say that if Allen & Overy sign a deal with SDG, this will give the green light for destruction of a large part of the market buildings.

On the Allen & Overy website, it states: "Allen & Overy is committed to servicing the needs of the community….In October 1999,... Allen & Overy won a Dragon Award for helping to improve inner city life." (www.allenovery.com)

Protesters are at a loss to understand how a new office block will directly benefit the local community. Their argument is supported by the the results of an independent survey, which states,

"Spitalfields is an area with almost no public space. Ninety per cent of local residents want the market retained for community use." (source SERA October 2001 ).

Guy Carpenter, local campaigner and member of SMUT says: "How will the destruction of three-fifths of Spitalfields Market, as popular on Sundays as Tate Modern, improve inner city life?"

For further information and online petition, please visit: www.smut.org.uk <http://www.smut.org.uk/>

or contact:

SMUT's Press Officer, Tel/Fax: 020 7503 1965 or Mobile: 07799 622 141

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22/10/01 Last updated 22/10/01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

22nd October 2001

 

 

 

Allen & Overy poised to go against wishes of

 

local community

 

 

International law firm, Allen & Overy looks set to oppose the wishes of 90% of the local community in one of London's poorest boroughs. The firm has begun negotiations to become one of the new clients to have its offices based on the controversial site at Spitalfields Market, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

 

If detailed planning permission is granted next month for Norman Foster's scheme, part of the much-loved Old Spitalfields Market will be demolished. Allen & Overy's new offices would be incorporated into this unwanted development. Protesters opposed to the scheme, argue that losing half of the market will encourage the incremental creep of bland, monolithic buildings into the Spitalfields area.

 

 

Spitalfields Development Group (SDG) have struggled to attract a tenant for the site after planning permission was quashed in the High Court in December 2000. Jil Cove, veteran campaigner, along with other local residents and community groups, has fought a 14-year battle with developers. The Corporation of London (the freeholders), say that if Allen & Overy sign a deal with SDG, this will give the green light for destruction of a large part of the market buildings.

 

On the Allen & Overy website, it states: "Allen & Overy is committed to servicing the needs of the community….In October 1999,... Allen & Overy won a Dragon Award for helping to improve inner city life." (www.allenovery.com)

 

Protesters are at a loss to understand how a new office block will directly benefit the local community. Their argument is supported by the the results of an independent survey, which states,

 

"Spitalfields is an area with almost no public space. Ninety per cent of local residents want the market retained for community use." (source SERA October 2001 ).

 

 

Guy Carpenter, local campaigner and member of SMUT says: "How will the destruction of three-fifths of Spitalfields Market, as popular on Sundays as Tate Modern, improve inner city life?"

 

 

For further information and online petition, please visit: www.smut.org.uk <http://www.smut.org.uk/>

 

or contact:

 

SMUT's Press Officer, Tel/Fax: 020 7503 1965

 

or Mobile: 07799 622 141

 

 

 

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