King�s Cross judicial review "fast-tracked" ;-)

Tue Feb 27 20:48:23 GMT 2007

http://www.kxrlg.org.uk/

positive land news

Article from /Architects’ Journal/ website:

Published 27 February 2007 at 11:45

*Judge brings forward King’s Cross judicial review citing ‘urgency of case’*

Campaigners against Argent’s massive King’s Cross regeneration scheme 
have had their legal appeal against the plans fast-tracked by the High 
Court.

Citing the urgency of the situation, High Court judge Mr Justice Collins 
ordered a ‘rolled-up’ hearing, whereby The King’s Cross Railway Lands 
Group’s (KCRLG’s) appeal for judicial review of Camden Council’s 
decision to grant planning permission and the actual judicial review 
itself will be heard at the same time.

He also ordered that no listed buildings or buildings of historic 
interest should be demolished before the hearing. The KCRLG claimed 
Argent had been hoping to start demolishing historic buildings within 
weeks.

KXRLG chairman Michael Edwards, said: ‘We are not trying to challenge 
the planning decision, as we cannot do that, but we have been told by 
our legal advice that we have a very strong case.

‘We will be arguing that Camden’s development control committee was 
misled into passing the scheme by its own development targets, and by 
the previous Labour leadership, which has since changed following the 
last local elections.’

Argent boss Roger Madelin, said: ‘We are disappointed with this decision 
by a small, vocal group of people to seek permission for a judicial 
review for our consents.

‘Argent and its partners have spent seven years working and consulting 
on this scheme, talking to thousands of people about the vision and 
benefits King’s Cross Central will bring to the area.

‘We have received approval for the development at local, regional and 
national level; met local, regional and national planning polices and we 
have the resounding support of English Heritage.

‘There are various procedural hoops which must be gone through before a 
challenge can be progressed. In the meantime we have outline planning 
permission and heritage consents for the main site. Therefore we are 
continuing to work on our detailed plans for King’s Cross Central.’

The hearing will take place some time in April.

*by Richard Vaughan <mailto:richard.vaughan at emap.com>

*