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caused outrage from residents across the London Boroughs as well as nation wide, who object strongly to the cruel and outdated use of animals in medical/scientific experimentation.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, 22 October 2010

Funding

www.hamhigh.co.uk

CSR NEWS: King’s Cross super-lab UKCMRI gets go-ahead

Katie Davies Wednesday, 20 October, 2010
16:00 PM

A large scientific research centre planned for King’s Cross has been given the go-ahead under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI) planned for a site behind the British Library on Brill Place will go ahead Chancellor George Osborne has promised.

The centre – a £500 million joint initiative of Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, University College London and the Wellcome Trust – has been confirmed to receive a £220million Government grant while other areas get cut.

Scientists from around the world have backed the project which could bring cures for illnesses like cancer and strokes.

Planning permission is currently being sought for the site from Camden Council.

As well as hundreds of backers, hundreds of opponents have rallied against the scheme.

Many residents in Somers Town have called for the land to be made into housing or park area for residents living there.

They are being backed by local Labour councillor Roger Robinson, several Green Party representatives and Conservative Camden and Barnet London Assembly member, Brian Coleman.

Cllr Coleman, who also sits on Barnet Council said in response to George Osborne’s House of Commons address.

“I am extremely disappointed with the Government’s decision to press ahead with construction of the Centre for Medical Research and Innovation,” he said. “It is the wrong project in the wrong place. I shall seek to do what I can to make sure these plans do not come to fruition.”