LIKE THE star in the East guiding wise men, lights sparkle above Kingsland High Street, leading the eye to a snazzy building that seems determined to distinguish itself from its staid Victorian companions.

Yes, it’s yet another application for a building to replace the Peacocks building next to Dalston Kingsland station.  This time the site owner, Rothas, whose initial proposal was exclusively reported by Loving Dalston in late 2011, is not bothering with a public consultation but has not gone straight into a planning application.

Its architect, Jestico and Whiles, has puts it name to a press release, to announce the flats-and-shops proposal for 51-57 Kingsland High Street, next to DK station and opposite Ridley Road Market. The other end faces Boleyn Road.

Jestico says the scheme “will provide a modern, high-quality store and …be one of the largest retail spaces in the town centre.

“ The scheme provides 125 new, mixed-tenure homes, including onsite affordable housing… There will also be high-quality residents’ gardens with children’s play space”. (The application says 126 flats.)

Jestico says “the site is allocated in Hackney council’s adopted Dalston Area Action Plan for a taller building”.

The planning application, however, is for a scheme that would reach to 17 floors at the Boleyn Road end, six at the high street.

Rothas says the scheme would create about 150 construction jobs, and “could create 500 jobs in the wider UK economy”.

David Altheer 270613

* Backstory: Chinese lantern for Peacocks plot? 

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