BUILDING giant Argent has come under fire for delaying the publication of revised plans for King's Cross for the third time this year. The hold-up is revealed in an email from Camden planning officers leaked to the Ham&High.

Katie Davies

BUILDING giant Argent has come under fire for delaying the publication of revised plans for King's Cross for the third time this year.

The hold-up is revealed in an email from Camden planning officers leaked to the Ham&High.

The email from planning officer Richard Kirby says that the plans - originally due to be published in February - will now be released at the end of September.

Mr Kirby says in his email: "This is frustrating for all of us."

Under the plans, King's Cross would be transformed with new shops, businesses and homes.

Liz Dale, of King's Cross Railway Lands Group, said: "It is frustrating because we don't know what is happening and we can't plan what we are going to do as a group.

"It feels like the power is all in their hands. We don't know when the revisions are going to come out and until then we have to be ready for action."

The delays have been blamed on protracted discussions with the Greater London Authority over designs for the Great Northern Hotel.

Diana Shelley, of the Cally Rail Group, said: "It is diabolical. It's just more of the same.

"You could put the rest of your life on hold waiting for that meeting.

"They've got all these resources and they can't keep deadlines. But small groups with no resources are meant to jump to them."

Camden planners were due to hold a briefing on September 10 with local groups to discuss the revised plans.

This has now been put back and the six-week consultation period will start on October 1.

Gillian Hall, of the Camden Central Community Umbrella, said: "It's very frustrating because we get all geared up to do our response to it and we can't.

"I don't think it's entirely Argent's fault and they've been trying to keep us informed. But it really is frustrating."

Mr Kirby's email added: "Argent is doing its best to keep everyone informed about the emerging timetable and the latest delays are not of their making."

Camden Council and Argent deny that they had ever set definite dates for the publication of the revised plans

The council said: "They are provisional dates and they can change."

Argent added: "The revisions are being worked on because there are ongoing discussions and we are making a few amendments.

"We want to get it done and done well. We never said it would be submitted on a certain date."

katie.davies@hamhigh.co.uk