Galliard’s fetish club housing scheme refused planning

Galliard Homes is considering its options after a planning inspector threw out a planned mixed-use development by the firm that would have resulted in the demolition of a famous fetish club in Tower Hamlets in east London.

Despite Galliard’s offer to reinstate the Backstreet bar club, which was founded in Mile End in 1985, in the basement of the new building, planning inspector Julia Gregory said she was not convinced the venue would be well-received by those residents with young children living above. 

In a letter written to the council in 2017 the club’s owners said they welcomed the opportunity to be rehoused in the new building, which would have featured 46 apartments and commercial space across a building ranging from three to 12 storeys in height.

The developer had appealed an earlier council decision rejecting the scheme but in her ruling Gregory said while there were potential benefits to the development these “would be at the expense of the character and appearance of the area more generally”, and the tall building would clash with the scale of buildings envisaged in the development plan for the location.

Gregory went on: “I am not convinced that the reprovision of the Backstreet club in modern surroundings would amount to a public benefit. Much of the character of the club is gained from the fact that little has changed there for some 30 years, and also this would amount to reprovision of what already exists.

“It is a club rather than a public facility. It is also possible that the existing or a new operator might change its character in any event, within the ambit of the controls suggested.”

And the inspector said she was “not convinced that the nightclub would be well received by parents with young children living above with views onto Wentworth Mews or would be considered a benefit by future residents”.

A spokesperson for Galliard Homes said it was “disappointed” with the council’s decision. 

In a statement the firm said: “Regarding the Backstreet Bar club, Galliard made considerable efforts including the significant offer of replacement premises within the new development, offering financial help to relocate the club to new premises, or offering to financially compensate the club if they chose to cease trading. In the event that Backstreet Bar club ceased trading, Galliard had made it clear that a new club would be marketed to an LGBTQ operator, demonstrating clear support for the community.”

“The existing premises are in poor condition and suffer from damp and rodent infestation. We feel it important to highlight that the club has enjoyed the use of the premises rent free on the understanding that the site was to be redeveloped at some stage.”

“Galliard’s appeal was dismissed on grounds including that a replacement venue for Backstreet Bar club would not be appropriate for families in the residential homes above. Galliard Homes will review its options at this stage.”

Councillor Rachel Blake, Tower Hamlets’ deputy mayor, said: “For many years our borough has been associated with a well-established LGBT+ community and venues that provide important places for people to enjoy themselves and feel safe.

“A number of factors including high land values have led to the long term future of many of these places coming under serious threat. That’s why we’re really proud in this case, as we did with additional protection for the Joiners Arms pub, to use our planning powers in an innovate way to help protect these historic LGBT+ venues for future generations.”

An original design for the scheme by BUJ Architects in 2016 (pictured) was amended after earlier discussions with the council.