Islington Council has granted planning permission for a flagship residential development by Telford Homes on Caledonian Road. Designed by Jestico + Whiles, the scheme will provide 156 homes, including 56 social rented houses, and will target the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5. It will regenerate a challenging railway site which occupies 1.9 hectares at the north-eastern tip of the King’s Cross masterplan. The derelict site is bounded by the East Coast mainline and the London Overground on the west and north side respectively. Formerly used as industrial land, the site was compulsory purchased in 1996 to allow the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in St Pancras, which runs in a tunnel underneath the northern part of the site. The remainder of the steeply sloped site includes an area of Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a vacant end-terrace plot in a conservation area along Caledonian Road. Jestico + Whiles’ proposals comprise seven new residential buildings, ranging from 3 to 6 storeys, in a linear configuration which runs parallels to the railway. The scheme also includes a series of standalone pavilions integrated within the enhanced (SINC) area. A landscaping scheme designed by the landscape architectural practice Standerwick Land Design includes the eradication of widespread Japanese Knotweed infestation, the planting of 2,408 new trees and shrubs, and the creation of a nature trail to be used by local schools. A new end-terrace at the site entrance building containing commercial space, flats and an energy centre completes the scheme. Heinz Richardson, Director at Jestico + Whiles, commented: “This development will provide high quality sustainable homes integrated into an enhanced Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.” The buildings are composed of interlocking forms clad in brick and glazed ceramic tiles, with metal patterned fretwork detailing which invokes the wrought-iron railings found in the conservation area. Climbing plants, green walls and green roofs, which feature throughout the scheme, serve to integrate the landscape and built form. The construction works are set to start in 2015, with completion expected in mid-2017.