"Plaice Making" in Fish Island (and Hackney Wick)
Centro Planning Consultancy
An independent central London planning consultancy.
Introduction
Hackney Wick and Fish Island is a vibrant hub for artists and the creative industries. Fish Island, once known as The Island, gained its name from the prominent use of freshwater fish species as street names. In this article we take a brief look back at the intriguing development of this area, and showcase Centro's contribution to the continued regeneration.
13th Century to 21st Century
Fish Island lies within the historic area of Old Ford, a small settlement first recorded in the 13th Century, which became significant for its River Lea crossing point connecting Essex and London. The catalyst for the area’s industrialisation was the creation of the canals in the late 18th Century, followed by the railways in the mid-19th Century.
In the late 19th Century a factory town with terraced houses became established by the Gas Light & Coke Company in 1876. This allowed for noxious industries to take advantage of Hackney Wick’s waterways. The factories later progressed to the production of consumer goods including rubber, ink, plastics and confectionary.
Significant Factories of Fish Island
During the Second World War parts of Fish Island were devastated by the blitz. However, not all was lost with some late 19th and early 20th Century buildings surviving and being repaired. These were occupied by both traditional industries and new creative ones. Housing clearance post-blitz made way for further industrial buildings and warehouses.
Around the turn of the century, the area began to emerge as a creative and cultural quarter, with Hackney Wick & Fish Island now having the most dense concentration of artist studios in the UK.
In 2008 the Fish Island Conservation Area was designated, covering an area important to British industrial history.
In 2018, Hackney Wick & Fish Island was designated as a Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), prompted by the co-location of creatives which established the area as one of London’s main hubs for creative industries. The CEZ initiative, created by the GLA, aims to promote sustainable and supportive environments for artists and creative businesses in order to retain these existing communities. Hackney Wick & Fish Island has seen a number of residential and mixed-use schemes completed or under construction recently, as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and its surrounding area have become a target for redevelopment in the last 10 years
Our Projects
Algha Works
Built in 1908 for Waterlow & Sons Printers by Henry C Smart and located at the junction of Stour Road and Smeed Road in Fish Island. Algha Works has a rich and fascinating history, having been home to Britain’s oldest handmade rolled gold eyewear manufacturer, the Algha Group Ltd. The company was founded by Victorian entrepreneur Max Wiseman in 1898 moving his team of artisans to the East London site in 1932.
The factory contributed greatly during the Second World War by producing Aviator sunglasses to the RAF in 1939, as well as gas masks and aviation goggles. In 1948 they were awarded a major contract to supply glasses for the NHS. The success of the Algha Group meant their frames were worn by many prominent figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and John Lennon.
After losing its NHS contract, the company rebranded, creating Savile Row Eye-wear which has made glasses for many celebrities, as well as supplying glasses for movies such as Indiana Jones and the Harry Potter series. The doors closed to the factory in 2020 with production being suspended and relocated to Italy.
During Summer 2023, Centro Planning Consultancy had the pleasure of contributing to the future of this site, submitting the planning application to convert and extend the existing industrial building into incubator workspace and tethered living accommodation.
The building’s living and workspace would be required to be rented simultaneously, at a discount to market rates. This affordable licence arrangement aims to prolong the incubation period necessary for creative businesses to become established. It is achieved by minimising the combined rent for living and work space, as well as reducing travel expenses, therefore allowing more opportunity to generate a sustainable income before a founder’s start-up capital is exhausted. The proposal is designed to support the existing artistic community, advancing the aspirations of the Creative Enterprise Zone.
Vittoria Wharf
Named after the mother of one of the proprietors of Byron & Byron Curtain fixtures, Vittoria Wharf was built by Vulcanite Roofing Felt in 1900. It was not until 2009 that the premises was converted into the multiple small workspaces including studios and cafes seen today. The site is located on the eastern edge of Fish Island and lies next to the new H16 pedestrian bridge connecting Fish Island to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
During Summer 2023, Centro submitted the planning application for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site for flexible workspaces and 72 new residential flats. Functional light industrial workspace/makerspace would be provided at the lower levels to reinvigorate the streetscape and canal edge. The scheme will retain the existing Gatehouse building, which is identified as a locally listed heritage asset within the Fish Island and White Post Lane Conservation Area. New green spaces, both public and private, will be provided, with the courtyard being retained and enhanced, positively contributing to the public realm.
25 Trego Road
Located within the Wickside Masterplan area, the Trego Road site remained unoccupied for much of the 19th Century. It was not until the late 19th and early 20th century residential housing was erected in this part of Hackney Wick. However, in-keeping with the post-war overhaul of the area, the housing was replaced with industrial buildings, much of which isstill in use today.
Centro is part of the team delivering the consented redevelopment. The Wickside Masterplan is a mixed-use development consisting of residential, employment and creative uses, linked by a linear park. The consented scheme consists of the demolition of an existing post-war warehouse building to provide a redevelopment with employment and amenity space at the ground and lower-ground floor, along with 52 residential units on the upper floors. High quality green space is a key element to this redevelopment with the provision of a communal raised platform garden and shared walled gardens, as well as private gardens.
Local Authority Engagement
All of the above sites, whilst within LB Tower Hamlets, fall within the London Legacy Development Corporation’s development control jurisdiction. The LLDC's planning powers over Hackney Wick and Fish Island will be transferred back to the LB Tower Hamlets by the end of 2024. This requires foresight and collaboration for any new projects in order to enable a smooth transition. Centro looks forward to working with the LLDC and LB Tower Hamlets in upcoming Hackney Wick and Fish Island projects.
If you require any planning advice on a project within Hackney Wick and Fish Island, please don't hesitate to make contact via [email protected] or 0203 302 1855.