Neighbourhood Plans in Hackney refused due to fears of community tension

In their application, the SNHF promised to identify ''sustainable solutions'' to a number of planning issues, including housing need. However, this turned out to be a point of some controversy with Hackney Planning Watch, a residents campaign group, who opposed the plans and claimed that they were a ''front'' for local councillors, a claim which has been strongly denied by the SNHF.

According to the Council's cabinet report, the SHNF application received 238 letters of support as well as 439 signed leaflets. However, it also prompted 310 letters of objection. The other application, put forward by the North Hackney Neighbourhood Forum, proved to be equally contentious after a paper petition opposing their designation received 2,485 signatures. An online petition opposing both groups' designation also received 1,058 signatures.

The Council's report stated that: ''Designating a forum in these circumstances will not enhance community relations in the area and will not improve social cohesion. It is also clear that the lodging of two separate applications for the same wards has proven very divisive within the local community in North Hackney. The scale of the opposition and support to both groups’ submitted proposals would indicate that there are deep-seated divisions within the community in this part of Hackney on planning issues."