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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 13 July 2007

Jubilant residents: From left Phil Jeffries, Julia Williams, Del Brenner, Peter Coppach and Michael Edwards after the Argent scheme was turned down

Planners dash developer’s King’s Cross homes hopes

Builders given ultimatum: ‘Make half your housing affordable’

PLANS for 200 homes – part of the massive King’s Cross redevelopment – have been thrown out for the second time because they fail to provide enough affordable housing.
The council’s Labour-controlled West Area Planning Committee this week rejected an application by developer Argent to build homes on a former railway site known as the Islington Triangle.
The 17-storey development would have provided 80 affordable homes on the 1.1-hectare site.
But Labour councillors want 100 homes – half of the scheme – to be affordable. Only one councillor, Lib Dem Emily Fieran-Reed, voted for the plans.
The triangle is bounded by York Way, the East Coast main railway line and the Thameslink line, with the North London line and Channel Tunnel Rail Link close by.
Islington’s assistant director of planning, Graham Loveland, thought Argent’s affordable homes offer was the best the council was likely to get.
But committee chairman, Labour councillor Paul Convery, said: “There is a dire need in London for more affordable housing. London Mayor Ken Livingstone has called for schemes to be 50 per cent affordable – that is our aim.”
Argent spokesman Robert Evans said: “Islington’s planning officers were in favour and we would like to see this scheme move forward with the main site.
“But that is not to be the case. We must consider our options, which could be to appeal against the lack of action.”
Phil Jeffries, of Cally Rail Action Group, said: “The committee have done the right thing. What this site needs is sufficient affordable housing but Argent is not prepared to offer it. Let’s hope the developer reconsiders.
“What was on offer by Argent was unacceptable. All this committee has asked for is that the developer comes back with a better housing offer. If Argent goes to appeal it will be merely out of pique and not for sensible reasons.”

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