Foster & Partners should radically rework its controversial Bishop’s Place scheme in London’s East End, Hackney council has said.

Members of its planning committee last week rejected advice from officers to grant planning — by deferring the decision and demanding that new plans for the £500 million project do not involve the demolition of the Light Bar, a popular local venue.

The 1.3ha Bishop’s Place scheme for developer Hammerson, which includes a 51-storey tower, is one of a number of skyscraper projects in the area opposed by heritage groups, which last month accused Hackney and Tower Hamlets councils of “astonishing secrecy” over the proposals.

Councillors voted last Thursday by five votes to two to defer a planning decision in advance of a report on whether the bar deserves protection.

Save Shoreditch campaigner Lucy Rogers said: “We are delighted councillors have rejected the plan to demolish the Light Bar, and that any new proposal must include preservation of the building.

“We welcome this brave decision that will protect Shoreditch and its character, and keep it distinct from the City.”

But Hammerson project director Joanna Axon condemned the decision, and refused to confirm whether it would send Foster’s back to the drawing board ahead of the publication of the conservation report in the autumn.

“We are disappointed with the decision to defer the scheme given how many years we have been in discussions with the council,” she said.

• Developer Glenkerrin unveiled significantly scaled-down plans for its Arcadia scheme in west London by Foster & Partners and HKR last week. The main Leaf tower by Foster has been reduced from 40 storeys to a slimmer 24-storey building. This follows criticism of from local groups, Cabe and English Heritage.
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