Focus week 1-King's Cross Central

King's Cross Central is the redevelopment of 72 acres of redundant rail marshalling yards sandwiched between King's Cross and St Pancras Stations. It presents one of the most exciting and significant development and regeneration opportunities within the UK. The intention of the masterplan is to create a fully accessible and integrated piece of the city including a whole range of cultural, commercial and residential uses. Townshend Landscape Architects were appointed as a core member of the masterplan team to develop a scheme that will be a strong framework for future development. Outline planning permission was granted for the masterplan in April 2006. Since then, Townshend Landscape Architects have been appointed to develop the detailed design for the public realm for the first two phases of King's Cross Central, with work on site scheduled to commence on the first phase in the summer of 2007.

Focus week 2,-Camley Street Natural Park

Camley Street Natural Park was created from an old coal yard back in 1984. It sits in the middle of King’s Cross, alongside the sparkling new Eurostar station at St Pancras. It is popular with all kinds of people seeking respite from the buzz of the city around them, as well as being a hub for London Wildlife Trust volunteers. Camley Street has a full time education programme for Camden schools, but these and other groups must book (Camden schools have priority over booking). Individuals are welcome to drop in during opening hours or call for details of holiday play activities. A runner up in this year’s Observer Ethical Awards, the reserve has a visitor centre and provides natural habitat for birds, butterflies, amphibians and a rich variety of plant life.

Nestled in between transport hubs ancient and modern, St Pancras International and the Regent’s Canal, it is something of a paradise in the middle of hectic King’s Cross. It attracts all kinds of wildlife and all kinds of people and has become a vital habitat and vital community resource, of which all who are involved with it are rightly proud.


Camley Street Natural Park is a two acre green oasis found in the heart of London, next door to King’s Cross Station. It is run as a community nature reserve, meaning that most of the work is completed by volunteers. The park functions very well as a refuge for local plants and animals. However it is funded because it is a community resource and not because it is a high quality green space.