Echoes from the Past I support Argent's intention to make use of some of the old coal drops on the Railway Lands site. It is expensive to do this and they must be applauded for this decision. Features from the past should be echoed throughout the development married with the new. If one looks at the photograph here it is clear how well the gasholder, the Granary and the Coal and Fish Depot are of a piece, from the point of texture and structure, and it is hoped that Argent will achieve a similar integration in their development.

The Granary seen through Gasholder 8

Surely it would be much more effective to leave Gasholder 8 where it is, for two reasons: 1. It is and will always be a landmark for King's Cross. 2. It could act as a wonderful centre in the middle of the proposed Boulevard for all sorts of  activities that both visitors and residents could enjoy. Power for the running of the gasholder could be solar, bringing the latest technology into play and saving resources. When oil runs out, the power would still be there.

Evening over King's Cross

The Boulevard and the 'Siamese Triplets' gasholders 

It seems that Camden Council want a Boulevard in this new development. But the question is where does it lead to? It needs to have an exciting destination.  Why not allow it, after having gone through Gasholder 8, to arrive at the Siamese Triplets at the side of the canal? The developers propose re-erecting them for housing. But why housing?  Surely they could be used for visitors, workers and residents alike, in any or some of the following forms:
	The 'Siamese Triplets' gasholders

2. HOUSING

There are too many offices proposed at the expense of housing. The outlook for the housing is bleak. Would the architects choose to live in houses that looked out onto a road rather than onto the canal or on to the inner part of the development? An obvious place for housing is on the southern side of the canal thus giving an eye for safety on the tow path and at the same time a decent view. At the moment  offices are proposed on this site.

In the development proposals there are too many small units and not enough housing for families which make an area sustainable. Wherever people live they get together and produce children! In this development they are not supposed to do this: for opinions on this point, listen to the CCRadio Feature on Housing. (Follow the link to 'King's Cross development'.)

In the proposed plan the Long Park is not viable. It will be a wind tunnel. Make a park around the gasholders for everyone to enjoy, visitors, residents and people travelling through. And if the gasholders are put to use as suggested above there will be plenty of relaxing activities, both cerebral and physical. The idea of an open space in front of the Granary is excellent. But at the moment it is too hard edged. It should follow the example of London parks and give us something softer, ie. trees and grass.

Sunset, Coal and Fish Depot. Will there be opportunities to see open skies  like this once the development is finished?

There are too many main roads for this development. More pedestrian and bicycle tracks are needed.  More pedestrian walkways and cycle paths should be made. 

A pedestrian cycle path should not be made over Camley Street Natural Park; instead, there should be an entrance from the east further up the canal from Camley Street where steps lead down onto the towpath. The entrance should be made through the side wall thus avoiding the Wild Life Park. 

King's Cross is the most central transport centre in London and the need for cars is less there than any other place in the city. Electric buses should be provided. Cars could be hired when needed, perhaps using electric cars wherever possible. 

Why not a monorail from north to south? This could go over the railway line immediately opposite Maiden Lane. It would make quick efficient access from north to south or south to north. And there could be a monorail from east to west.

The opportunities created by a new range of jobs coming into the area are bound to be beneficial.  But there should be more jobs for local people, cutting down on the number of people travelling.  Accommodation should be provided for a number of the people coming from outside to work in the area, but not the very small units suggested in the application. Single people soon become parents.

Some of the small traders who are at present on the periphery of this development should be allowed to bring their businesses into the side streets of the new development, thus providing affordable goods and cafes.

I welcome the proposals for education on a grand scale, for example, using the Granary for an art college. 

However, it is important that small scale and primary education be given equal weight. Primary schools often become a focal point for a community. Never underestimate the power of the 'school gate'.  

As a major transport centre, the area should have some more imaginative tourist attractions than those proposed, appealing across the range of local, national and international visitors.

A museum or arts centre in the gasholders (or any one of the activities for these gasholders suggested above) would be a natural place to which tourists would gravitate. A park around the gasholders would give more space for tourists and bring locals in neighbouring areas into the new development. It would also be a place for office workers to relax.

Policing must not be done by a private company.  It is essential that policing is done for and by the community with local residents as part of the plan. Otherwise there will be disaffected people within and on all sides of the development. 

Listen to the radio feature 'Crossing the Lines' CCRadio, Part 2 and 3 about community involvement in policing.  (Follow the link to 'King's Cross development'.)