Creative workspaces protected from new planning rules

17 London boroughs including Hackney are to be granted partial exemptions from planning relaxation, which could have seen many artists, designers, and creative industry businesses forced out of their workspaces to make way for housing.

Successful campaigning by SPACE, with strong support from local businesses and local MPs, has helped protect areas around Shoreditch and Hoxton, Dalston and Hackney Central, which are home to many creative industry businesses.

Space is still very concerned about the impact this planning relaxation will have on non-exempted areas when the new rules come into play on 30 May. While there is no guarantee that this housing will be affordable, small businesses would be potentially forced to relocate or close with a loss of jobs.

Visit Space’s website to find out more about this exemption and their campaign