Robert Evans, Director of Argent (Kings Cross) Ltd, explained what is happening and what the future looks like now. The credit-crunch shocks of recent months, big changes in the property market and and in economic prospects have changed the sequence and pace of development at Kings Cross Central. Work goes on at the Granary site to have the University of the Arts, London, ready for opening two years from now. Combined heat and power will be provided in T1, the westernmost site by the Regent’s Canal. But what else? Affordable Housing has come to the fore. Certain landscaping works and roads are going in. The ground floor of the Great Northern Hotel is being converted to an arcade which will open in conjunction with Kings Cross Station’s new hemispherical Western concourse. L1, the Western Transit Shed, is being prepared for a prospective anchor tenant and retail users. The Forum were told to expect applications to be submitted soon on sites R4, R5 and T6 as well as Cubitt Square and Cubitt Park (working titles). The long-awaited Gas Governor removal is also in the offing. There should also be an application in regard to the Southern Square (another working title), the site nearest to the German Gym and the mainline railwaystations. In view of the imminence of these Reserved Matters applications and the proven advantage of expressing views about plans before formal application stage, the Forum decided to meet again soon (November 23rd at Camden Town Hall).
The Construction Skills Centre, a training centre for aspiring construction workers, has been handed over to the London borough of Camden and continues to offer a 2-year course which will prepare people to work in building, not only on the Kings Cross Central site.
The Forum continue serving communities around Kings Cross Central site sharing views and information, focussing concerns and telling planning authorities what we think.
