A series of daytime raves planned for a Thames Wharf warehouse is set to begin on Saturday, October 3, despite still lacking planning permission.
The events, featuring DJs including Jamie Jones, Eric Prydz and Charlotte de Witte, are scheduled to take place at Thames Wharf Dock in Newham throughout October. The venue has been rebranded “Ironworks” for the occasion.
Newham Council has not yet granted planning permission for the events, as organisers submitted their application only on Friday, September 11. The series comprises five raves, with the first headlined by Jamie Jones next Saturday.
Organisers' application details
Events organiser A Man About a Dog has described the scale of its plans as a “major development” on the site, but only for “a short temporary basis”. Tickets for the opening show are already on sale, while performances by Eric Prydz and Charlotte de Witte have sold out.
According to the submitted plans, each event could host up to 8,000 people in a warehouse and outdoor yard off Scarab Close at the mouth of the River Lea. Organisers have said 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 alcohol sales and live and recorded music. However, a separate planning permission is still required to use the site as an event space, which is handled by a different council department under distinct laws and policies.
Additional shows and public consultation
A Man About a Dog is seeking temporary planning permission for up to six events running until December 31. A planning statement within the application acknowledges: “The change of use would, as a result of site area, constitute a major development.” 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 the three named DJs, the website advertises a show with Camelphat on Saturday, October 24, and a Halloween party on Saturday, October 31. All events are scheduled to run from 12pm to 10pm, with a further show planned for Friday, October 23, from 5pm to 10pm with the artist “to be announced”.
Plans can be viewed and commented on via Newham Council’s planning website under reference number 26/01975/FUL.
