Hackney Council has revealed its plans for what it describes as 'Hackney's two major town centres' (ie Hackney Central and Dalston, so where does this leave Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, Broadway Market?). The 'masterplans' are for the next fifteen years and are extremely detailed, so much so that we are simply here reproducing an edited version of the Council press release, along with website links to the documents themselves.

'The future for Hackney's two major town centres has been adopted by the Council in two new masterplans, following an extensive consultation with residents, community groups and local businesses.

‘The plans for Hackney Central and Dalston are designed to improve and guide growth and investment over the next 15 years, ensuring future development strengthens and reinforces their distinct characters that are making Hackney one of the most popular places to be in central London.

‘The masterplans give an idea where new homes could be built, and where retail, hospitality, employment and community spaces could be developed. The proposals ensure that the distinct characters that exist in both town centres should be retained, and that new development must contribute to this character.

‘In Dalston, a new green avenue is proposed around which a new high street is formed enabling Dalston to grow and increase its cultural and creative sectors alongside its role as a centre for retail and leisure activities. Both masterplans include plans to improve routes in and around the town centres and to promote and support walking and cycling.

‘The two town centre masterplans were consulted on extensively and have been amended to reflect the feedback from the community. They have now been formally adopted as interim area action plans and will form a material consideration in the assessment of planning applications.'

 View the town centre interim area action plans at:

www.hackney.gov.uk/dalston-aap

www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-central-aap