Singer hits a sour note with Crouch End neighbours as he plans to turn Bob Dylan studios into flats

 
John Dunne @jhdunne20 August 2012

Singer David Gray has found himself out of tune with his neighbours over plans to convert his north London recording studios into flats.

The Church Studios were once owned by the Eurythmics and artists including Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Kaiser Chiefs and Elvis Costello have recorded there.

But Babylon singer Gray, 44, now wants to turn them into five flats with shops and office space, which has upset the community in Crouch End.

Sue Hessel, chairman of the local Haslemere Road residents’ association, said: “This is so sad. Crouch End has enough flats.

“Its music heritage is what makes it such a special place to live. Turning a culturally rich building into flats is not in the spirit of Crouch End.”

Steve Watson, of Crouch Hill, said in a letter to Haringey council: “The studios have been a part of Crouch End’s artistic and creative heritage for decades. Many local musicians use and are based in the building.

“If the main part is converted into flats, the studios that adjoin the building will likely have to cease operation or spend thousands on further soundproofing.

“This will have a significant effect on the vitality of the local arts scene and the character of the area.”

Gray bought the property, a converted chapel dating from 1853, from Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics in 2003. Stewart and Annie Lennox completed their debut album Sweet Dreams there after converting the chapel into a world-class recording studio in 1984.

A spokesman for Hampstead-based Gray said: “Having owned and enjoyed the church for nearly 10 years, it is time to move on.

“David would be delighted to sell the Church Studios but, given the current upheaval in the music business and the repercussions on commercial recording studios, it is only prudent to explore other avenues, including redevelopment.”

Gray’s architect Mark Ruthven insisted the heritage of the building would be preserved. He said the west side, which faces onto Crouch Hill, would be left unchanged while the rear was redeveloped.

Posting on his Facebook fan page, Dave Stewart reminisced about nights when Dylan or Joni Mitchell would turn up to play at the studios, but said he understood why Gray wanted to convert it.

He added: “I wasn’t bothered about the cost of running it (always at a loss).”

A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Haringey council.

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