A major development of office blocks and homes on former railway land near the new Eurostar station at London King's Cross has been given the go-ahead.

The development called Kings Cross Central was approved by Camden Council subjecting to finalising the section 106 agreements which can place restrictions on developers Argent, requiring them to minimise the impact on the local community and to provide "community benefits".

"This decision means that our vision of bringing jobs, housing, leisure and community facilities for local people to King's Cross will become a reality,"
said council leader Raj Chada.

"King's Cross will become a new quarter for London that takes advantage of the best transport links in the city, which is of huge importance to the capital and the South East, as well as the 2012 Olympics."

The latest revisions to the application included more public open space, new designs for streets and squares, new health, education, sports and other community facilities, changes to the road layout and introduction of home zones, renewable energy initiatives, including wind turbines, more native plant species and more detail on new housing including the amount of affordable homes.

Argent chief executive Roger Madelin said: "We at Argent, along with the landowners London & Continental Railways and DHL Logistics are delighted that Camden Council has resolved to grant planning permission and the related heritage consents for King's Cross Central, subject to finalising the section 106 agreements.

"We now await a decision by both the Mayor of London and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Meanwhile we look forward to Islington Council resolving to grant planning permission for the Triangle site (2.6 acres).

"It has taken us six years of hard work and consultation with the local community, Camden and Islington councils and other key stakeholders to achieve this decision. It reflects a broad consensus.

"We look forward to working in partnership with the councils and others to submit the first of set of details for approval later this year.

"All being well we expect to start on site late 2007 once the Channel Tunnel rail link is completed, and expect to deliver a first phase by 2010 and second major phase by the 2012 Olympics."

More information can be found at:

Argent

Camden

An alternative community view can be found at

kxrlg

Information from John Davison and Simon Norton