Newham Council has still not granted planning permission for events at Thames Wharf Dock scheduled to go ahead next month, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

A series of huge daytime warehouse raves starting next week still do not have planning permission.

Performances featuring artists such as DJ Jamie Jones, Eric Prydz and Charlotte de Witte are due to take place at Thames Wharf Dock in Silvertown next month, starting on Saturday, 3rd October.

It is the first of five raves planned there throughout the month, with the venue rebranded “Ironworks” for the events.

However, Newham Council has still not granted planning permission to host events at the site, with organisers having only applied two weeks ago on Friday, 11th September.

Events organiser A Man About a Dog says the scale of its plans would represent a “major development” on the site, but for “a short temporary basis”.

Tickets for the first of Ironworks’ shows, staring DJ Jamie Jones next Saturday, are already on sale. Other shows – such as by Eric Prydz on Saturday 10th October and Charlotte de Witte on Saturday, 1st November – are already sold out.

Plans say the events could host up to 8,000 people in a warehouse and outdoor yard just off Scarab Close at the mouth of the River Lea.

Organisers say Ironworks will be “our largest-scale space to date, bringing together cutting-edge sound, lighting and visual production inside one of London’s most striking industrial settings”.

The council has already granted a premises licence for the venue, allowing it to sell alcohol and play live and recorded music.

However, the organisers still need planning permission to use the site as an event space. This is separate to licensing, and is dealt with under different laws and policies by a different council department.

Plans submitted to the council say A Man About a Dog is seeking temporary planning permission for up to six events lasting until 31st December.

A planning statement included in the application admits: “The change of use would, as a result of site area, constitute a major development.”

However it adds: “The building is existing, the use proposed is for a short temporary basis, has the benefit of an existing premises licence and there are no operational works proposed.”

Ironworks did not respond to a request for comment.

In addition to Jamie Jones, Eric Prydz and Charlotte de Witte, Ironworks’ website also advertises a show by Camelphat on Saturday, 24th October and a Halloween party on Saturday, 31st October.

All events are scheduled to begin at 12noon and end at 10pm.

The planning statement also hints at another show on Friday, 23rd October, 5pm-10pm, with the artist “to be announced”.

Plans can be viewed and commented on at Newham Council’s planning website using reference number 26/01975/FUL.

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