A major nightclub in East London has been staging large-scale raves and festivals for over seven months without the required planning consent from the local authority.
Unauthorised Operation in Industrial Estate
The venue, known as Eutopia Warehouse, is located at 42 River Road on a Barking industrial estate. It opened its doors for the first time with a "test event" in its outdoor yard on 28th June last year. Since then, it has hosted multiple events, including significant Halloween and New Year's Eve parties, with a claimed capacity of up to 4,000 people across three converted warehouses and the yard.
However, the owners, Blackhorse Events Holdings, only submitted an application to Barking and Dagenham Council to formally change the site's use to an event and live music venue on 9th October. That initial application was then withdrawn on Monday, 15th December.
Council Enforcement 'On Hold'
The council confirmed it is aware of the "intermittent club nights" and had opened a planning enforcement case against the operation. A spokesperson stated that enforcement action is currently "on hold" while the club's directors prepare a new planning submission.
Will Paterson, director of Blackhorse Events, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he withdrew the first bid "to enable more time to provide additional documents". He added: "We are working with relevant parties to enable us to do this and the revised application will be submitted shortly." Mr Paterson did not explain why planning permission was not secured before opening, though the venue does hold a separate premises licence.
Path to Regularisation
The council outlined its standard approach, which is to encourage operators to regularise unauthorised uses through the planning process. "Where an applicant is in active discussions with the council, the use would generally be allowed to continue while an application is prepared and determined," the spokesperson said.
They warned that enforcement would be reconsidered if the application is not resubmitted in an appropriate timeframe or if the impacts of the use are deemed "sufficiently harmful". The required documents for the new application are expected to include a transport assessment and detailed event management plans.
In a supporting statement from the original application, the venue was promoted as aiming to provide a cultural hub to support the borough's evening economy and regeneration, noting the site is "well separated from residential areas". It also highlighted Mr Paterson's 28 years of experience in electronic music promotion and venue management.
