Planned development threatening London’s IKLECTIK venue paused

The plans for a proposed Lambeth development have been paused, giving non-profit music and arts venue IKLECTIK and its Old Paradise Yard neighbours a respite in their campaign to secure the site's future. 

The team behind the electronic music and contemporary arts space announced the update via Instagram on Tuesday, 21st August. They wrote: "As many of you are aware, the future of our site has been subject to a proposed development by Lambeth Council and Stanhope PLC that would see the demolition of Old Paradise Yard and the many small businesses based here including IKLECTIK."

"In a positive step, Michael Gove (The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities) has issued an Article 31 Direction that prevents Lambeth Council from proceeding with the plans while he considers a full investigation. This could possibly result in a Public Inquiry which could halt the proposed development".

The Save Waterloo Paradise campaign commended Secretary Gove's call for an investigatoin, in contrast to Mayor Sadiq Khan's actions. "The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, should be safeguarding London’s precious and dwindling heritage", SWP's Matthew Demwell said in a press statement. "Instead, he gave the green light to Labour Lambeth Council to go ahead with this oversized, unnecessary and needlessly harmful development plan in the face of objections from a host of respected heritage organisations and nearly 45,000 people who have signed a petition against it". 

IKLECTIK and SWP are encouraging supporters to write to Secretary Gove during the investigation via the suggested guidelines here, as well as to continue to write into the London mayor's office here.

Learn more about the proposed development and campaign against it on Save Waterloo Paradise's website and read their latest update.