* UPDATE 240417: An application, 2017/1193, for nine above-ground flats has finally been made. Comments can be sent online until late next month, May 2017. The application 2016/4223 for the basement was approved by Hackney council last month. St Matthias Youth Club is still searching for premises to use before the basement facility opens

* UPDATE 050117: Nicole Bremner, of developer East Eight, says she today submitted a design to Hackney planners for the above-ground section of the building it wants to erect. The application has, however, been invalidated, meaning that it did not fulfil the bureaucratic requirements, and so does not appear on the Hackney planning site (which is not anyway working).  The sale of the site to East Eight has since been completed: price, see below

THE FUTURE for a youth club that provides a haven for Hackney youngsters is looking a little better since its premises were offered for sale. St Matthias Youth Club managed to persuade the vendor, the youth-club federation that owns the building at the corner of Dalston Lane and Cecilia Road E8 1NH, to require any buyer to accommodate the club in any new development.

Developer East Eight, started by Hackneyite Nicole Bremner, and partner firm London Central Development, set up with businessman Avi Dodi, are willing and have applied to Hackney council to dig a basement at the site. If the application is approved, St Matt’s could look forward to using the basement, and investors could look forward to a profit of well over 50% from the second stage of the project, nine flats on four or five floors.

Despite the sign saying Sold, East Eight and LCD could lose interest if their application were refused. The purchase price was £2.8 million.

Club manager Mohammed Alam told Loving Dalston: “It is not a done deal yet.” It could take months before the club knew whether it would have to move to a temporary location. Dalston-ward councillor Peter Snell had been a great help, pointing the club towards the Wilton Estate near London Fields.

Alam added that the club wanted to hold a pre-move, get-to-know-us party for local residents, possibly as early as next month December 2016.

East Eight founder Bremner upset De Beauvoir residents this spring 2016 with her stated intention to build a six-car, two-floor basement at her listed vicarage in a conservation square. She plans to start her Dalston basement dig next month December 2016.

The former Goldman Sachs investment banker said: “As a local resident and parent I felt strongly that the youth club should be able to build upon the good works they have carried out for the past decades.”

Bremner expects work to be complete by early 2018, which may surprise observers of the often slow-moving planning process.

David Altheer 301116

* To comment on the proposal, press the link to planning application 2017/1193.

* Backstory: Big property deal in Dalston; St Matthias sale hits late hitch; Flats future for controversial Dalston club 

* All pictures © DavidAltheer [at] gmail.com, apart from Nicole Bremner pic, and all for  sale for reproduction. Bigger format versions usually available.