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caused outrage from residents across the London Boroughs as well as nation wide, who object strongly to the cruel and outdated use of animals in medical/scientific experimentation.

Friday 18 December 2009

UPDATE

http://www.camdengazette.co.uk

Homes row over plans for £523million science lab

nlnews@archant.co.uk
09 December 2009
THE bosses behind a controversial £523million science lab planned for the heart of Somers Town insist the project is "in the public good".

A 3.5-acre swathe of land known as Brill Place - which is behind the British Library - has been earmarked for the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI) after being bought from the Government for £85million.

The high security centre, due to open in 2014, plans to conduct pioneering stem cell research to beat fatal diseases including cancer.

Unveiling detailed designs for the UKCMRI, Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse said: "This lab will keep Britain at the forefront of biomedical research in the world. It aims to understand how life works and how we can use that understanding to combat diseases across the spectrum. This is the most exciting science project in a generation."

The centre - a partnership between Cancer Research UK, The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and University College London (UCL) - will attract leading scientists from around the world.

But neighbouring residents say the land should be used for new affordable homes, as outlined in a Camden Council planning brief dictating what should be built on the site.

The bosses behind the UKCMRI are hoping Camden Council will still grant the centre planning permission.

Professor Malcolm Grant, president of UCL, said: "The planning brief was established in 2003 on the understanding that what would take place would be a commercial development. We're not doing a commercial development. We're providing a development in the public good and dealing with funds from the taxpayer and charity organisations. It's not our brief to provide affordable housing."

He added that "Camden Council has been helpful without giving any particular indications as to what will happen".

UKCMRI will be classified as a Category 3 lab, meaning research into diseases such as influenza will be carried out - but not into deadlier viruses such as Ebola. Animal testing on rats would also take place. Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, chief executive of the MRC, moved to dampen fears of it becoming a potential terrorist target. He admitted there was an "inherent risk" but said he hoped the Home Office would provide top level security.

Helia Evans, chairwoman of the Ossulston tenants' and residents' association, said neighbours were not happy with the plans. She said: "Most people want housing because that's what we need."
A planning application for the scheme will be submitted in the spring.

A public consultation on the designs takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at Cooper's Lane Community Centre, in Purchese Street, Somers Town, from 3pm to 7pm, Friday from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.