Famous London studio wins two year battle

News Jonathan Darby 13th October 2017

Jonathan Darby, instructed by Birketts LLP on behalf of the world famous Air Studios, has helped to secure the withdrawal of a planning appeal relating to extensive basement extensions that would have threatened the viability of the historic studios at Lyndhurst Hall in Hampstead (itself of significant architectural and historical interest classified as Grade II* listed).  Originally listed for a two day Hearing, the detailed and technical nature of the noise and vibration evidence – not to mention the significant levels of public interest in the case – led Air to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate that a Public Inquiry was a more appropriate procedure for the determination of the appeal.  Those representations were accepted by the Inspector who re-listed the matter for a 4 day Inquiry that was scheduled to sit in May 2018.  Further to that latest development, the appellants have chosen to withdraw their appeal, which marks a significant outcome for the UK film and music industry.

Jonathan is continuing to advise Air in relation to its costs application.

Links to press coverage and the online petition set up in support of Air Studios’ campaign are listed below:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-air-studios

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12096154/Arts-luminaries-warn-world-famous-recording-studio-threatened-by-iceberg-basement-plans.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/12/famous-london-studio-wins-two-years-battle-sound-silence/

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Jonathan Darby