The fight to save Stanley and Culross Buildings on the Kings Cross Central site is not just about heritage. Yes, these handsome buildings are part of the history of the area, but they are very much more besides. There is no housing proposed south of the

The fight to save Stanley and Culross Buildings on the Kings Cross Central site is not just about heritage. Yes, these handsome buildings are part of the history of the area, but they are very much more besides.

There is no housing proposed south of the canal, yet the buildings could provide 44 good sized homes and a dozen or more start-up workshops, to create a community once more as soon as the railway infrastructure is complete.

A government calculation estimates that there is enough embodied energy - that is, energy already used in construction - in an average Victorian terraced house to power a car more than ten times around the world.

How much more energy is there in these blocks? Argent plans to throw it away - use it for hardcore, perhaps, or landfill, at a time when concern about environmental issues is reaching new heights.

Stanley Buildings South is to remain - they are listed, after all - but 'embedded' in a giant office block. Again, the housing is lost, and again, the energy use is vastly increased, as no longer will the building be able to rely on natural ventilation.

Retaining these Victorian assets could make a scheme that is so much more interesting and of value to the community.

Judith Martin

Industrial Buildings Preservation Trust, 18A Romsey Road,

Winchester, Hants