Camden New Journal - News: Frank joins library land row

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Camden New Journal - by PAUL KEILTHY
Published: 26 April 2007

Frank Dobson

Frank joins in library land row

Build a park or housing, says MP

A CHUNK of government land worth millions should be used for the benefit of residents in Somers Town rather than sold off to the highest bidder for development, Frank Dobson MP, pictued, said yesterday (Wednesday).
The Holborn and St Pancras MP spoke out after the New Journal revealed last week that seven acres of land behind the British Library in Euston Road will be sold in the summer by owners the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
After meetings with British Library chiefs, Mr Dobson said: “The first call on it is from the library, but if there is any land that is surplus at the end of the process then it should be used for the benefit of local people – either through providing open space for recreation or affordable housing. Certainly the site is valuable, as are any sites in the centre of London, but we are not selling off the squares to be developed and we should not sell off publicly-owned land here either.”
Mr Dobson’s comments support those of members of the Ossulston tenants and residents association (OTRA) who called last week for the council to review its 2003 planning brief, which dictates a mix of flats, business and leisure facilities for any new owner wishing to develop the site, known locally as Brill Place.
OTRA secretary Helia Evans said: “The planning brief is old and does not reflect the views of residents, especially now that so much has changed on the King’s Cross site. Many people live in these streets (of Somers Town) and there is still very little in the way of facilities.”
A spokeswoman for DCMS said yesterday that there had been no change to the plans to sell the site, which will fall vacant when the channel tunnel rail link opens in November and the builders leave, on commercial terms to ensure best value for public money.
She said that DCMS had not been formally contacted regarding the site and added: “You can’t just take government land and transfer it to the council because there’s taxpayers money involved and they would have something to say about that. If people come to us to raise this issue we will have a discussion with them.”

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