PROPOSALS to cram 116 flats into the Regent’s Park estate for residents losing their homes to the HS2 rail project have been lodged with the Town Hall.

Hundreds of tenants and leaseholders in Silverdale, Ainsdale and Eskdale blocks are now almost certain to be forced out of their homes in 2017 after the government’s intention to push on with HS2 was confirmed in last week’s Queen’s Speech.

Government-appointed company HS2 Ltd is funding the new council-run homes, which will be squeezed into a transformed estate, with some buildings 11-storeys high.

Regeneration chief Councillor Phil Jones said: “This application marks a major step towards ensuring people due to lose their homes to HS2 get new flats in the area they know and love.”

Residents can review the plans on Tuesday, June 9, from 2-8pm in the Surma Centre, Robert Street, NW1.

Former Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson has agreed to become president of HS2 Euston Area Action Group. New MP Keir Starmer is due to make a speech at the group’s AGM from 7pm on Thursday, June 11, in Regent High School in Somers Town.