MPs consider ‘superlab’ plans - Proposed medical research centre in Somer's Town continues to court controversy

Published: 17 February 2011
by DAN CARRIER

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a massive medical research centre in Somers Town were given the once over by MPs yesterday (Wednesday).

The government’s science and technology select committee, chaired by Labour MP Andrew Miller, heard evidence from medical research consortium UKMRCI’s Nobel Prize-winning Sir Paul Nurse. He outlined why they believe the building should be sited in Somers Town. 

Last week, in the committee’s first session, UKMRCI’s chief executive Paul Saville told the committee that the benefits from the new research centre would provide a state-of-the-art home for leading scientists fighting illnesses that claim millions of lives each year. The committee, which will complete a preliminary report on the “superlab” next week, also heard evidence from St Pancras and Somers Town Planning Action (Spa), a civic group formed to fight the £660million proposals.

The scheme was passed at a fractious Camden Council planning committee meeting before Christmas.