What the problem is

In 2007 the UK Government sold public land situated behind the British Library in Somers Town, Camden, London, UK - to a consortium made up of the Medical Research Council, University College London, Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust, for them to build a potentially high risk UK centre for medical research and innovation. Many local residents had hoped the land would be used to build new affordable housing and facilities for the community.

Residents across the borough are horrified by such a dangerous, largely secretive establishment being build, and are fiercely opposing the development.

The development has also caused outrage from residents across the London Boroughs as well as nation wide, who object strongly to the cruel and outdated use of animals in medical/scientific experimentation.

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

CAMDEN COUNCIL STATEMENT

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/press/2007/december/camden-council-statement-on-the-sale-of-the-land-at-the-rear-of-the-british-library.en

Camden Council statement on the sale of the land at the rear of the British Library
Date: 05/12/07


The Prime Minister has today announced that the land at the rear of the British Library has been sold to four organisations to make way for a UK Centre for medical research and innovation.

Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council said:
“Camden Council will now be carefully assessing the proposed development including the medical research centre against our planning brief.

“Right from the start we have made it very clear to central Government that any proposed development must have the right mix of housing, employment and community facilities for King’s Cross and for Camden as a whole.

“Housing in Camden, especially affordable housing is in short supply and with our residential population expected to grow by 10% by 2016 it has to be a priority. The Council’s planning brief has laid down clear requirements for 50% or more of the new land use to be housing, and 50% or more of that to be affordable housing. We will be very disappointed if the proposed plan ignores this brief.

“Only a few weeks ago we were very much encouraged by the Housing Green Paper, particularly the Government's desire to better co-ordinate the use of public land to address the shortage of housing. However in this case the Government seem to have fallen at the first hurdle when it comes to putting their own policy into practice.

Ref Code: ST78
Contact: 020 7974 5717
pressoffice@camden.gov.uk