Passion Property Group's plan for new King's Cross flats falls short on social housing

Published: 7th April, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

DEVELOPERS who want to build a new block of 52 flats in King’s Cross will make just eight of them affordable homes.

In their planning application, developers Passion Property Group have told the Town Hall that because of government cuts to the Homes and Communities Agency they cannot afford to use much of the space to provide social housing. Their development is on the site of Kingsway College in Sidmouth Street, next door to St George’s Gardens.

The proposals fall short of Camden Council guidelines which insist on a 50/50 split between affordable homes and more profitable flats – Passion Property say that would make the scheme unviable.

In their application to the Town Hall, the developers said: “The affordable housing offered on site has been subject to lengthy discussions with Camden planning and housing officers. 

“The economics of the scheme are such that no more affordable housing could be provided.”

Passion Property Group managing director Paul Seaton said the company had spoken to the Town Hall and have had the site independently assessed to discover what sort of homes it could economically accommodate.

He said: “There has been zero grant funding for this scheme available because of national cutbacks. It is very hard to put it up to 50 per cent in this current climate.”

He added that the scheme included much-needed larger family units and the decisions had been made with the advice of Town Hall planners. 

Town Hall housing chief Labour councillor Julian Fulbrook, said: “I want to hold the line at a 50/50 split, unless there are exceptional circumstances. This is an area that critically needs more social housing.”

He added that while grants had been lost and funds were scarce, the construction industry was crying out for work, which meant new-build costs had fallen. 

Cllr Fulbrook said: “It is actually cheap to build at the moment. Money goes a long way. People are desperate to get building.”

Councillors will decide whether to grant planning permission tonight (Thursday).