Controversial Institute of Physics building in King’s Cross to go before Islington Council tonight

View from community garden now (Image: Archant)

The institute of physics faces widespread opposition from local residents for it’s proposed one-and-a-half-storey extension to the former Lynes Plumbing Supply on the corner of Balfe Street and Caledonian Road, which it bought last year.

Residents living close by say that the extension would block light and overlook rooms in nearby houses as well as ruining the view from a community garden used by about 100 locals all year round.

Responding to residents concerns the institute have reduced the height of the building, which would create a for-hire corporate meeting space, but only by 40cm, about one per cent of the overall height of the building.

Cabe Franklin, 41, who lives next door to the proposed development, said: “They’re going to build two storeys with glass windows that will be used for meetings throughout the day 20ft from our back bedroom window.

“They say they want to build a distinctive building but it all feels a bit Canary Wharf to just drop this in the middle of a conservation area.

“These are terraces that have been the same for well over 100 years.”

The council’s conservation team also have objections to the plans which will effect the roof line in the Keystone conservation area, made up of rows of houses built between 1830 and 1850.

However, council officers have recommended the plans for approval and the decision will go before the council’s planning committee tonight.

Cllr Paul Convery, who represents Caledonian ward, said: “They’ve made some changes, they’ve brought the roof down a fraction and it’s better than it was.

“But as with that they’ve proposed before in my view it’s still too big.”