Walthamstow Trades Hall fears 20 flats behind the club could cost it its late licence

Walthamstow Trades Hall says a plan to build 20 flats behind the social club could threaten its late licence and its programme of live music, cabaret and comedy.

The homes would be built on the site of a former Texaco petrol station, with balconies looking over the back of the club. Staff are worried that new neighbours could complain about noise and that this could lead to a review of the late licence. They say the smoking area could also be at risk.

Walthamstow flats plan: what Astro Developments wants to build

Astro Developments Ltd previously tried to put 17 flats and a convenience store on the land. That scheme was refused after the Highways Authority objected to the effect the shop would have on the road next to it. The revised plans are for five one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom flats.

A noise assessment submitted with the plans finds little apparent risk of sound escaping at a level likely to disturb anyone. It says the club’s entrance faces away from the site and the rear façade has no windows.

Trades Hall says its late licence is at stake

Treasurer Sarah Brown said the club holds events on nearly every day of the year. It opens until 11pm on weekdays and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Her main concern is that most of the noise readings were taken in the morning, when the club was closed. She added that the double glazing proposed for the flats seems designed mainly to block traffic noise from Hoe Street.

“We would love the new residents to become members of Trades,” she said, but added that “adequate measures need to be in place to ensure we can coexist happily together”.

The club is not-for-profit. Ms Brown said some events lose money so that members get a varied programme and not only the big sell-out shows. Without the late licence it would be harder to book some acts, she said. The club is also dealing with rising energy and utility bills while trying to keep membership and drink prices down.

The Walthamstow club is not alone. Several London pubs and clubs have fought planning applications lately. In Hackney Wick, the Lord Napier Star, the only pub in the area, wants a scheme for eight flats turned down. In Tower Hamlets, Love Affair Basement is asking for financial help during a dispute with the council over a noise prosecution.