The building currently being refurbished close to the Town Hall in Judd Street, King’s Cross

BIOCHEMICAL laboratories could be moving in to a new site close to homes, a primary school and Camden Town Hall, with neighbours fearing they will be left inhaling the fumes.

Residents in King’s Cross said they felt deeply alarmed by the proposals for the new complex in Judd Street.

Once the headquarters of the National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), the building is currently undergoing a major redevelopment.

The council granted planning consent for a new office building with some research space but an amendment has paved the way for its use as a bespoke laboratory for LifeArc, an independent medical research charity.

The group currently has labs in Stevenage, Edinburgh and at the Francis Crick Institute in King’s Cross, where their research is trying to deliver fully human antibodies to treat diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

“We’re not against medical research but we think this is inappropriate in a highly residential heritage area,” said Professor Deirdre Kelly who lives directly next door to the development.

“We’re afraid of the effect of the toxic gasses. There’s no data or detail on this. I also think it’s extraordinary for Camden to accept this as it’s against their own policies of clean air in a residential area, accepting something that is going to pump out potentially toxic gasses.”

The plans for the building include a two-storey roof extension with five three-metre waste gas chimneys as well as an extensive mechanical plant on the seventh floor.

Trevor Shonfeld, vice-chair of Bloomsbury Residents Action Group (BRAG), said: “I’ve heard people want to move – they don’t want to risk it. We don’t know what LifeArc plans to chuck out of these flues. They haven’t told us. These flues would be discharging air which for the top flats would be no more than 20 feet away from where they live. That’s when it suddenly gets scary for people.”

The laboratories are now listed to potentially have level 2 containment cabinets.

These are used for working safely with moderate-risk biological bacteria, viruses and fungi.

“I can’t believe they can let it happen. Surely it must be a change of use rather than just a little amendment. I think it’s really terrible what they plan on doing,” said Issy Hamilton, who lives on the third floor of a block opposite the development.

“I don’t want to live opposite a factory or a research centre. Labs are a completely different thing to offices and to put it through as a minor change in the planning application seems unbelievable to me. I don’t know what chemicals they’ll be using but clearly they don’t know what they will be using or they’d be clear about it.”

Judd Street lies within Camden’s Clear Zone where traffic has been restricted to reduce pollution.

Debbie Radcliffe, co-chair of BRAG, said: “It’s the air that you, your families and customers will be forced to breathe. Camden has spent years improving air quality by reducing traffic fumes in our neighbourhood – so let’s keep it clean.”

The proposed development is a stone’s throw away from the Knowledge Quarter – a partnership of more than 100 academic, research and scientific organisations based in the King’s Cross area.

Simon Burton, one of the directors of the Queen Alexandra Mansions in Bidborough Street said: “There is a very big concern about the Knowledge Quarter as it is something the residents aren’t involved in and something that is imposed on us. There aren’t any other buildings south of Euston Road that are like this proposed one.”

Ms Radcliffe added: “The ‘Knowledge Quarter’ is a branding exercise which is being used to obliterate the reality of the many people who live here.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are carefully reviewing the responses we have received to our consultation on this application. This use falls within the same planning category as the original application that was approved in 2023, therefore it did not need to be submitted as a change of use. The current application proposes further changes to the building, which if recommended for approval will be referred to the members briefing panel for consideration.

“As with all planning applications, we thoroughly assess the impact of development on the amenity of residents and the environment.”

A statement from 105 Judd Street Limited and LifeArc said: “The work LifeArc do is designed to turn research into life-changing treatments and cures for people living with rare conditions and in areas of global health.

“We want to reassure our neighbours that safety is always our top priority. LifeArc has strong safeguards in place complying with regulations to protect the building’s immediate environment and the wider community. We are committed to being a good neighbour and excited to share more about what LifeArc does with local residents and organisations in the weeks and months ahead.”