Local residents have just received notification of a revised planning application for the site known as 62-68 York Way (corner of York Way and Wharfdale Roads). This is the current home of The American Car Wash, Capitol Rent-a-Car, and the empty lot. The developer has resubmitted plans for a building with some cosmetic modifications over the last plan – but one which I feel is still much too large in it’s mass and height (six storeys). To get an idea take a look at these simulated pictures which have been submitted as part of the application – Download w33simulated_photographs.pdf.
As many of you know, this site has been the subject of a number of previous planning applications – all of which have led to nothing being built. In fact, currently there is an approved application for a five storey office building that has been in place since 2002. It is now set to expire in Nov and it appears that the developer is simply putting in a new plan to ensure some control over the site as he waits for it to increase in value.
Many of us would like to see a building on this site, however we want a building that is consistent with the surrounding landscape. Local residents were unsuccessful with King’s Place – partly because the developer offered some substantial benefits to the local community – concert facilities, outreach programmes and a prestigious tenant from day one – The Guardian Media Group. This developer offers nothing to the local community and expects to be allowed to "milk" the site for all its worth.
I do not believe the local community should roll-over quite that easily. If this building is permitted it must be scaled down to match those of the surrounding Conservation Area. It should be lower and like my own building, York Central provide substantial set-backs to reduce the mass.
To see all the plans you can go to Islington’s Online Planning site – https://www.islington.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/Online/ and search for Application P070753. If you want more information on what you can do to influence this development, please email me at – campaign@yorkcentral.co.uk
In the past the local community has had considerable success in efforts to control development and get things changed. This is another opportunity to use your voice to improve your neighbourhood.
Kings Cross Environment 
The problem is that the monstrous King’s Place building (jarring architecture, excessive mass for site, ill-chosen colour tone of facing slabs, etc.) has set a highly unfortunate local precedent
I actually think there is nothing wrong with the proposed development – it does not look too high in the photographs. I also think that people ought to remember that this is Central London we are talking about not the suburbs.
It looks another square faceless block to me. Far too many of them in our so-called conservation area as it is! Not to mention all the empty office space there already is as well.
It looks another square faceless block to me. Far too many of them in our so-called conservation area as it is! Not to mention all the empty office space there already is as well.
It looks another square faceless block to me. Far too many of them in our so-called conservation area as it is! Not to mention all the empty office space there already is as well.