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Secret deal set to seal the fate of historic buildings
Objectors will dispute planning permission in High Court
A DEAL by neighbouring Camden Council to sell historic industrial buildings to developers Argent is to be hammered out in secret.
Senior Camden councillors will negotiate the future of the Stanley Buildings in King’s Cross behind closed doors on Wednesday night.
In unusual circumstances, the council is only considering an approach by Argent – the company that is set to redevelop the land behind King’s Cross and St Pancras stations which stretches across Camden and Islington’s borough border.
While brief details of the deal are included in a council agenda for the public part of the meeting, a second report has not been released. It reveals how much Argent Limited will pay the council for the buildings.
Argent has already mapped out a blueprint the £2 billion redevelopment of the King’s Cross railwaylands, a project on hold while objectors to the scheme fight for a review of the way the developers gained planning permission from Camden Council.
It will be argued in the High Court by protesters that councillors were given the wrong legal advice when they were told they could not refuse Argent’s plans late last year.
In the meantime, Camden is preparing to sell buildings which will feature in the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Council-owned properties are usually sold in open view, often at public auction. There is normally a public tender.
The Camden report that is in the public domain shows that Argent first approached the council to buy the buildings two years ago.
It said: “It was anticipated that Argent would be in a position to pay a better price reflecting the development value which would be released if they owned the buildings and this price would be significantly higher than the existing value of the buildings to the council or to any third party purchaser.”
Argent want to re-align St Pancras Road as part of their proposals.
The report added: “The buildings are listed grade II and are in a dilapidated condition. The cost of repair and refurbishment to re-provide affordable housing would be very high and would not be cost effective for either the council or a housing association.”
Objectors to the redevelopment said the Stanley Buildings could be repaired and used as housing, making a dent in the long waiting list for cheap homes in Camden.
Ernest James, from the King’s Cross Conservation Area Advisory Committee, said: “Camden has a waiting list for housing. The repairs are economically worthwhile. The reason to demolish is that they are in the way.”
He said: “Why is this report being kept confidential? We have a right to know how much the council is getting from the sale.”
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