King's Cross Railway Lands ‘mission’ ruled out

Published: 27 May 2010
by DAN CARRIER

THE Church of England have ruled out setting up a “mission centre” in the new King’s Cross Railway Lands – because the office space at the development is too expensive.

The Diocese of London, who manage church affairs, made plans to build a £40million base that would be used as a place of worship, a community area, offices for church clerks and space to rent out commercially. But at a recent meeting of governing body the Bishop’s Council, the proposals were dismissed as too pricey. 

A Church spokesman said: “Over the past year, the Diocese of London has been exploring a wide variety of possible mission opportunities in regeneration areas across the capital. We identified one opportunity within the King’s Cross regeneration development and have undertaken research to examine the options there. At last week’s Bishops Council meeting, it was decided that some of the initial ideas are unviable for clear financial reasons.”

The decision will be seen as a blow by developers King’s Cross Central Partnership, who have won planning permission for a series of new office blocks on the site but have yet to find companies willing to take on the leases. 

King’s Cross Central Partnership director Robert Evans told the New Journal that the  site was a long-term commitment and insisted that although the economic downturn had meant there was an excess of office space to let in London, they were offering a unique new-build with the country’s best transport links.