King’s Cross scheme awarded prize for preserving history
ENGLISH Heritage has given developers of the £2billion King s Cross scheme an award, despite dozens of residents criticising the plans for bulldozing their favourite historical spots. The project by Argent has been listed as one of England s 20 best schem
ENGLISH Heritage has given developers of the £2billion King's Cross scheme an award, despite dozens of residents criticising the plans for bulldozing their favourite historical spots.
The project by Argent has been listed as one of England's 20 best schemes in historical places and is commended for its dedication to preserving old buildings.
The move comes in spite of a long-running campaign by local people against the plans which saw old railway housing blocks, the Culross building and one of the Stanley buildings removed.
Paddy Pugh, London's planning and development director for English Heritage, said: "Both the architects and the developers at Kings Cross showed they understood the value of this heritage site. The rest of the country can learn from this exemplary scheme in London.
You may also want to watch:
"Heritage is a non-renewable resource. Once it's gone, you can't get it back."
The scheme was supported by English Heritage throughout the planning process at Camden Council. It has been commended for returning several buildings to their former glory, from industrial gasholders which will be used for flats, to the Granary Warehouse which will become the University of the Arts.
Most Read
- 1 Muswell Hill man captures picture of car bursting into flames in high street
- 2 Primrose Hill 'Howloween' party to support rescue dogs
- 3 'Forever grateful': Community steps up after man's dog dies on Hampstead Heath
- 4 Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to perform at Earthshot Prize ceremony at Ally Pally
- 5 Flick Rea: Community celebrates 'Empress of West Hampstead'
- 6 West Hampstead mum Nazanin 'loses appeal' in Iran
- 7 Tributes paid to Primrose Hill mother-of-four as fundraiser launched
- 8 Muswell Hill couple slam planning laws as chipboard outhouse appears
- 9 The Outsider: Residents take aim at plans for high street pub
- 10 Man charged with murder of Nicole Hurley in Primrose Hill
Argent director Robert Evans said: "At King's Cross we'll see 20 historic buildings and structures brought back to life, helping to define the character that will make King's Cross the best place to visit, live, work and relax in Central London."
However, campaigner Diana Shelley slammed the move: "Every time I pass where the Culross Buildings used to be I think, 'Bloody vandals.' There was a perfectly viable option to keep it.
