Caledonian residents are taking control of future renovations, calling for better shop fronts and fewer vacant properties.
The ‘Cally Plan’ will set out a list of regulations allowing residents to hold the council to account on planning decisions on Caledonian Road. The plan should be completed by winter 2013.
Ideas and issues were discussed in a Caledonian ward partnership meeting where residents called for better signage, a higher quality of shop fronts, and fewer vacant properties and shuttered shops.
Community group, Team Cally, formulated the plan after many residents were angered by the depiction of Caledonian Road on BBC Programme “The Secret History of Our Streets” released this summer.
Eleonora Schinella, a local resident, said: “It is difficult for residents to find out what is going on with the council’s licensing and planning decisions, so it’s good to open up the discussion and start with something which comes from the people.”
Proposals for the plan are well under way. A steering group of residents and planning officers has been set up to ensure that local people are given a say on the council’s final planning decisions.
The steering group took part in a walkabout on Caledonian Road in late November to identify areas which can be developed.
Sue Cartwright, a member of the steering group, said: “The trouble with the Cally is there is a lot of good stuff going on, but these are obliterated by the run down areas surrounding the sites.”
With the development of the entire King’s Cross area on the horizon, Rupert Perry, Caledonian ward councillor, assured residents that the Cally Plan would make the area attractive to visitors.
“We have to get our act together quickly to make sure we get the Cally on the map,” he said.
