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Bosses at Ministry Of Sound have hit out at developers who are planning on building a block of apartments opposite the music firm's flagship club venue in Elephant and Castle. Ministry bosses fear that the new block of flats might result in new residents complaining about noise coming from the club, resulting in licensing complications, even though the music venue was very much first on the block. The superclub's chiefs are also furious with the attitude of the developers. When concerns were raised with the boss of property developer Oakmayne, Christopher Allen, he apparently responded: "Nightclubs come and go". The company has submitted plans for 'Oakmayne Towers' on the site of the old Eileen House in Newington Causeway, comprising a ground plus 43-storey predominantly residential tower and a ground plus seven-storey commercial building. Nearly 20 years old, the club is a powerhouse in the local economy attracting 5,000 revellers every weekend with an annual turnover of £80m
"Horrified"
In a press release that lists Ministry's many expansive business interests, at the Gaunt Street site in London and around the world, as well as outlining the organisation's support for numerous educational and community support initiatives, in South London and beyond, MoS boss Lohan Presencer said: "When Oakmayne told us that 'nightclubs come and go', we were horrified. Ministry Of Sound is not just any nightclub; it's the most famous nightclub in the world and the heart of a global entertainment business. These developers have cut corners at every stage and, counter to their claims; they do not have the best interests of the local community at heart. We must do everything in our power to save our club and our business". Responding to Ministry's release with some fighting talk, Allen told the BBC yesterday: "Oakmayne confirm that they have worked extensively with the Ministry of Sound and Southwark (Council) officers to ensure that the scheme and the Ministry Of Sound can co-exist harmoniously. Oakmayne have also agreed to spend nearly £400,000 to assist in further sound proofing the Ministry Of Sound nightclub. Sadly for Southwark residents, the Ministry Of Sound will not withdraw their objections, so £20m of scheme benefits are now in jeopardy". 6Music also quoted DJ Dave Pearce in their piece on this story. His comments were very ambiguous, the Beeb quote him thus: "As we know we're in difficult financial times, and a lot of Ministry's business over the years has switched to that tourism, there are people all over the world, they all visit the venue, so to move it or close down for nine months would be a nightmare". I'm not sure where the closing down for nine months thing comes from, and the BBC article doesn't explain that point. Possibly that's what would be necessary to install Allen's £400,000 of sound proofing. “ Additional reporting by CMU Network
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