A GIANT ad has landed Apple in a row over a Grade II-listed former courthouse in Shoreditch. The advertisement for the new iPad was erected on the 1908 ex-Shoreditch  magistrates’ court without permission, according to Hackney council. English Heritage says that can be a criminal offence.

Alan Hely, a senior director for Apple Europe, told Loving Dalston: “The correct permission has been received for the advertising.” But the council said that no permission to display the ad or to undertake the work required on a listed building was sought.  A spokesman added: “We intend to take appropriate action to address this matter.”

The building’s legal role ended in 1996 and in 2006 Mastcraft bought it. Five years later the holding company won permission from Hackney council to convert the Edwardian structure to a 128-room hotel.

Councillor Vincent Stops, of Hackney’s planning sub-committee, claimed on Twitter that air bricks had been knocked out of the building and asked what more damage had been done.In another tweet he said: “Council is tkng ths… unauthorised works & damage 2 listed building… vry srsly. I hope Apple will end up in dock!” He referred to (comment below) the planning application 2012/0663 that gave permission for the temporary installation of two banner signs measuring 8m x 6m.

Lexi Dick, a jeweller, who lives in a building behind the old courthouse, said: “The sign appeared two or three weeks ago. I was not consulted.”

The advertising company Outdoor Plus has made a retrospective planning application, a common procedure by firms facing planning problems with Hackney council.

David Altheer 040912

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