Kings Cross Environment

The council is consulting on the Cally Plan:

‘The purpose of the Cally Plan is to set out a vision for the future of the Cally and the practical steps for improving the area and achieving this vision.’

These plans are very important in future planning applications. If something is proposed that doesn’t fit with the plan it gives grounds to turn it down.  The plan also contains thinking on how to connect the regeneration of Kings Cross Central to the Cally.

It’s a big document and I can’t pretend to have read it yet.  As i do i shall put posts on this site to help break it down into digestible chunks.  I would say that, if you bother to read one council document this year abut your area, this is it.  Download the document here.

The council say that:

Our goals for the Cally include:

The vision for the Cally is to reinforce a strong positive identity for the area and strengthen the high street. We want to attract new businesses and visitors and unite the communities and businesses on the east and west of the road in a sense of ownership, pride and shared responsibility for its success. To help achieve this vision the council has the following goals for the Cally:

promoting the Cally through arts and cultural projects which build on the success of the Cally Festival to attract new businesses and visitors

getting the communities that live to the east and west of the Caledonian Road to use the area, its shops and services and be involved in helping make it a successful place

creating better quality public spaces and street environment including:

a new public space along Carnoustie Drive and Freeling Street;

improving the entrance to Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Overground Station;

and the environment under the railway bridge

making walking and cycling in the area easier, including better routes between Caledonian Road and York Way and more bicycle parking

making the most of the area’s historic buildings by guiding the redevelopment of shops to restore their traditional shopfronts

managing the streets better by tackling issues such as the rubbish that is left out on the pavement and making the streets more accessible

developing successful businesses through business advice programmes and making better use of large underused or vacant shops

The consultation is open until 16 September.  If you don’t like big documents and want to talk to someone about it there are drop in sessions:

Wednesday 14 August, 10am – 2pm, Bingfield Street Surgery, 8 Bingfield Street, London N1 0AL.

Thursday 15 August, 4.00pm -7.30pm, West Library, Bridgeman Road, London N1 1BD.

Sunday 8 September, 12noon – 5pm, find our stall at the Cally Festival, http://www.thecallyfestival.com.

There is an online form you can complete to feedback and an email address ldf@islington.gov.uk where presumably people will also answer questions.