News • Walthamstow

Secret Cinema granted planning permission for summer Low Hall events

31 March, 2021 12:00 am
4 Min Read

Permission granted for controversial Secret Cinema events in Walthamstow – despite hundreds of resident objections, reports Victoria Munro, Local Democracy […]By Waltham Forest Echo

Low Hall Sports Ground
Low Hall Sports Ground

Permission granted for controversial Secret Cinema events in Walthamstow – despite hundreds of resident objections, reports Victoria Munro, Local Democracy Reporter…

An open-air cinema was granted planning permission for screenings this summer to cries of “shame on you”.

Secret Cinema will set up at Low Hall Sports Ground in Walthamstow from 5th July until 12th September 2021, putting ten football pitches out of action and occupying a large area in the middle of the space.

Waltham Forest Council’s planning committee heard there will be three weeks’ worth of film screenings – every day except Mondays, lasting from 6pm until 10.30pm, with ticket prices ranging from £49 to £89 a head.

Residents implored the planning committee last night (30th March) not to limit their green space but councillors argued cultural offerings were also important to post-lockdown life.

Committee chairman Cllr Jenny Gray said: “We do need cultural activities. Everyone has been locked up for so long, I think people would actually like to go out and have some fun.

“I know it’s expensive but you have to think about it like a gig or a one-day festival rather than going to the cinema because it’s not just a film screening, it’s an immersive experience.”

Leytonstone Cllr Sally Littlejohn agreed that an outdoor film screening “could be something of a psychological lift” for those who have spent more than a year without events.

She added: “Given there are alternative sports and leisure facilities not far away from this location, this temporary use is quite a positive one.”

And fellow Leytonstone Cllr Marie Pye reminded objectors that councillors could only refuse permission on “planning grounds”, regardless of their personal feelings about the event.

But neighbours and even ward councillors were vehement in their opposition to the event, with one objector yelling “shame on you” at councillors after they granted permission.

The objector, Lara Pawson, told the committee: “It’s a fact that Waltham Forest is among the most deprived areas in the country when it comes to access to green space.

“Low Hall Fields is Metropolitan Open Land and, in defending their desire to hand over half of it for three months, planning officers point to what they call special circumstances.

“The circumstances we find ourselves in are indeed special. During the last year of lockdown, report after report has shown that local green spaces are quite literally keeping us sane.

“In summer, this space is brimming with sports players, dog walkers, picnickers, readers and even golfers.”

John Mannion, from Coppermill Swifts FC, said the community sports initiative “cannot operate without Low Hall” and would struggle to use the alternative sites suggested by officers.

He said: “You do not seriously want me to tell kids, most of whose parents do not have cars, that because the field they normally walk to is closed off for a private event, they can no longer play with their mates.”

He urged Secret Cinema to “go to another larger area that can sustain a site as large as yours”, adding: “You have the choice to go elsewhere, we do not.”

Objector James Cheshire pointed out the company’s plans to provide access for trucks to the site seem to necessitate removing 100 new saplings, although council officers said they could not offer clarity on this point.

Conservative leader Cllr Alan Siggers, the only committee member to vote against the application, expressed scepticism about the company’s plan to use local suppliers, arguing it would already have established relationships with many companies.

In response, Secret Cinema’s Rob Haworth insisted the company had already found “three suppliers in the local industrial estate alone” that it is “very keen to work with”.

A licensing application allowing Secret Cinema to serve alcohol and provide live entertainment on the site was approved in January this year, to similar objections from residents.

No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month.  £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.

Donate now with Pay Pal

More information on supporting us monthly or annually 

More Information about donations

Tags
FacebookXRedditPinterestEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

611 Comments

Click here to post a comment

Our newspaper and website are made possible by the support of readers and by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider helping us to continue to bring you news by disabling your ad blocker or supporting us with a small regular payment.