King's Cross Central - Applications

King's Cross Central - Application Update

The King's Cross Central planning applications were considered at Camden Council's General Purposes (Development Control) Committee meeting on 8-9 March 2006. Camden Council decided to resolve to grant planning permission and various listed building/conservation area consents. At it's Development Control Committee on 17 Novemember 2006 the S106 agreement was approved.

Background to the Kings Cross Central Applications

In May 2004, Argent (King's Cross) Limited, London Continental Railways and Exel plc (development partners) submitted applications to develop King's Cross Central. The applications cover 67 acres and include the land behind the two stations.

There are two areas in the King’s Cross Central development, called the Main site and the Triangle site. The developers submitted two separate outline planning applications for the Main site, which is in Camden only, and the Triangle site, which falls in both Camden and Islington. Because the development falls within and between the two boroughs, Camden and Islington planning officers produced a joint planning brief for the area, and undertook joint public consultation. 

An outline planning application is an application for planning permission to establish the overall mix and amount of development and other principles, but it doesn’t include any detailed drawings of buildings. The outline applications for King’s Cross Central will be followed by further detailed applications for individual building designs over many years. The outline planning applications also have illustrative drawings showing what development could look like. 

Because the development is so large and complex, the developers also submitted a number of supporting documents, for example: Environmental Statement, Statement of Community Engagement and Implementation Strategy. These supporting documents help explain and set out what the developers intend to build and how the construction work will be carried out. 

You can view a schedule of all the applications by downloading the pdf file at the bottom of this page. For even more information click on the link under useful websites, to the right.

Revisions to the Planning Applications

Revisions to the King's Cross Central planning applications were submitted to both Camden and Islington in September 2005. Major changes 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
• more detail on new housing including the amount of affordable homes
  
  

The changes for the main site are outlined in four key documents including a new development specification and revised parameter plans. In addition, there are a series of supporting reports dealing with aspects of heritage, environmental impact, construction practice and accessibility. All the changes on the Triangle site are described in a new development specification. You can view the revisions below.

Islington Council Formal Observations

As a neighbouring authority, Islington council was obliged to submit a response to Camden Council on the proposals for King's Cross Central. This was part of the consultation process and the response is known as a Formal Observations report.

The observations report outlines the views of Islington council on the proposals. The views and concerns outlined in the report have been drawn up from an Islington perspective meaning that it focuses on the implications and impacts for services and residents in the local area in Islington.

The observations report on the original application went to the West Area Committee on 3 March 2005 for approval. The report was approved with some minor changes and was then sent on to Camden Council and the developers, Argent (Kings Cross). A second observations report on the September 2005 revised application was considered by the West Area Committee on 10th January 2006.

To view these reports, click the related link at the foot of this page.

Planning Guidance and Policies

During the past few years Camden and Islington Councils and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have consulted on a variety of documents and policies that will guide development in King's Cross. These polices and documents include:

• Islington Council UDP 2002 - includes special policies on King's Cross area in Islington

• King's Cross Chapter 13 of Camden's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2003 - a special chapter with policies for King's Cross

• Joint Camden and Islington King's Cross Opportunity Area Planning and Development Brief, January 2004 - gives a developer guidance about what the councils want to see included in the future development of the area and sets out issues that a developer should address. To view the brief, click on the link below.

• Camden Revised King's Cross Conservation Area Statement

• Mayor's London Plan, February 2004 - It sets guidelines for how London should grow and change, including the King's Cross Opportunity Area.