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SPECIAL REPORT: AS THE TOWN
HALL PREPARES TO GIVE THE GO AHEAD TO A £2BN SCHEME THAT
WILL CHANGE KING’S CROSS FOREVER, RICHARD OSLEY INVESTIGATES
'We have to stop this vile, vulgar, vision
of the future'
IT’S crunch time in the battle over the future of the King’s
Cross railway lands with the Town Hall ready to review controversial
plans for a £2 billion development.
But with just days to go before the final planning meeting
on Wednesday night – promising to be the biggest in the
council’s history – objectors have warned that the
matter should be taken out of Camden Council’s hands.
Protesters argue the applications by developers Argent Limited
should be handled by a public inquiry so that everybody in the
community can have their voices heard.
Campaigners have also begun researching how the case could be
transferred to the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone or even Deputy
Prime Minister John Prescott.
Tensions are running high over the proposals for the biggest
construction site in Europe.
At the annual general meeting of the King’s Cross Railway
Lands Group (KCRLG) in the Cooper Lane Tenant’s Hall in
Somers Town on Tuesday night objectors vowed to turn up to the
Town Hall in numbers for their last chance to persuade councillors
to sink the scheme on Wednesday.
Deborah Burns, a KCRLG member from the Goldington Estate Tenants
Association in Somers Town, said: “After all this time
Argent does have a vision. A vulgar, vile vision. This scheme
is an insult and we have got to fight it. It is a deeply unpleasant,
capitalist, money-making vision for King’s Cross.”
Camden’s planning officials have recommended that the blueprint
should get the green light by elected councillors.
Nevertheless, objectors have not given up on stopping the scheme
in its tracks and, such is the interest in the project, members
of the public are likely to queue up for tickets to get into
Wednesday night’s meeting.
One council insider said: “It is going to be a real scramble
for places. There won’t be room for everybody.”
Those who can’t find seats in the main chamber will be
able to sit in committee rooms elsewhere in the Town Hall and
watch a live recording of the events.
One of the most striking proposals, dividing conservationists,
is a plan to reconstruct the iconic gas-holders on the land
and build flats within them.
Argent believes its plans are an opportunity for the area’s
rebirth (see opposite). Residents in King’s Cross, Somers
Town and adjacent neighbourhoods in Islington don’t agree
and warn that the giant development will replace treasured,
historic buildings with towering office blocks.
The KCRLG, which has monitored developments on the site for
the past two decades, said the designs should include more affordable
homes for families, improved transport links and a more environmentally
friendly development.
KCRLG consultant Richard Lee said: “The local need is for
housing. There is a desperate need for family homes and affordable
homes in this area. We want more three bedroom, four bedroom
homes – not more offices.”
Green Party member Sian Berry said: “The offices will not
be for small businesses. They will be headquarters and you will
just get a lot of commuters coming in and out of Kent –
not benefiting the people who live in King’s Cross.”
Argent would be almost certain to launch an appeal if their
plans are defeated.
Ms Berry said: “The only way that every voice will truly
be heard is if it goes to a public inquiry and the plans are
looked at thoroughly.”
Encouraging objectors to lobby Mr Livingstone, Mr Lee added:
“The line from the Mayor’s planners is that they still
have grave concerns. They want to hear from everybody to see
what people feel about these applications.” |
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