#SaveHolbornStudios: A timeline of Galliard planning interference

You’d imagine that Galliard Homes would be too busy trying to fix their current developments, but once again they would prefer to leave their tenants knee deep in legal quagmire as their mission to demolish the studios continues.

After fighting for 11 years against planning applications from 2 different landlords, and winning 2 judicial reviews in the High Court, we now have to fight Galliard’s appeal to the Secretary of State against Hackney Council’s rejection of their planning application.

We just want to go back to doing our actual day jobs of providing a great space for our community . We thought it would help if you could see the full timeline of the last 11 years of this stressful, tedious and unnecessary attempt to disrupt our business.

Planning Timeline

August 1989

Holborn Studios moves to derelict building in Hackney

We sign a 25 year lease with partially derelict greeting card/porn magazine printing factory at 49 Eagle Wharf Road. Signed with A&P Roberts Holdings Ltd owned by David Gold and Ralph Gold. Huge amount of work to create studios from derelict shell.

May 1993

Gold Group acquire freehold

A&P Roberts Holdings changes to Gold Group International

December 2012

First planning application

Gold Group International submit planning application 2012/3923 was later withdrawn

March 2014

Hackney Council add Holborn Studios to Local Heritage List

September 2014

Galliard acquire freehold

Gold Group still have overage shares

June 2015

HS sign new 15 year lease with Galliard Homes

July 2015

Galliard submit planning application

Application 2015/2596

September 2015

Planning application validated despite huge public opposition

May 2016

Planning application amended due to viability concerns

June 2016

Notification of recommend to approve and sub hearing date

July 2016

Planning sub committee approves application

December 2016

First Judicial Review

We start judicial review proceedings as Hackney planning process appears unlawful

September 2017

Galliard submit second planning application

Galliard submit new planning application 2017/3511 despite ongoing High Court review. Application includes several false claims that the proposed scheme was designed in consultation with us.

October 2017

High Court hears case 2015/2596

November 2017

High Court quashes planning application 2015/2596

May 2018

Holborn Studios issue Cease and Desist

Our lawyers send cease and desist to Galliard and Hackney Council to remove all mentions of “in consultation with ….” From planning documents. Revised documents submitted end of May.

June 2018

Council issue revisions to application 2017/3511

January 2019

Sub Committee approves 2017/3511 on officer recommendation

January 2019

HS appeal to SoS, supported by local MP

Our appeal to Secretary of State James Brokenshire and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rishi Sunak to “call in” this application and review decision. This is supported by Hackney MP Meg Hillier

April 2019

Secretary of State declines to call in this application

September 2019

Second Judicial Review

We begin second Judicial review proceedings for unlawful decision

March 2020

High Court hearing

June 2020

High Court quashes application 2017/3511

November 2021

Galliard submit third planning application. Hackney Council Data Breach

Galliard submits planning permission application with minor charges to quashed application. All previous documentation and appeals against this have been lost by Hackney Council in a data breach. Our legal team question validity of this application as have evidence of other nearby application having to be made again because of lost data.

March 2022

Greater London Authority support Holborn

GLA culture and creative industries team give full support to our position and 100% against application

March 2022

Hackney Council reject 3rd planning application

Planning sub committee rejects application. 4 reasons given (see document below) and confirmed by councillors unanimously

September 2022

Galliard start appeal process against decision to refuse with Planning Inspectorate

January 2023

Enquiry postponed

Planning enquiry postponed due to Planning Inspector injury. We push for hearing to go ahead ASAP, Galliard have availability issues on all proposed dates

September 2023

New hearing date

Hackney Council Planning Rejection

#SaveHolbornStudios: How You Can Help

Call Us:

+44 (0) 207 490 4099

Email Us:

contactus@holbornstudios.com