In what some would see as a surprise development Islington Councillors stood up to developers and their own planning officials this evening to demand more affordable housing in the controversial Islington Triangle development.  A brilliant technically argued campaign on a very complex issue by the Cally Rail Group swayed Councillors into a clear five to one vote on the main issue. 

Cllr. Paul Convery in the chair showed an excellent grasp of detail and argument to cut through some hideously complex issues and get to the heart of the matter – there is not enough social housing in this development and the initial subsidies will eventually revert to the developer, not to a wider social housing organisation.  Argent the developers will have to come back with a better offer.  Paul Convery has posted a comment at this link which gives a technical read out on the result. I assume that this has a big knock on effect on the whole Kings Cross Railway Lands development.   Phil Jeffries of the Cally Rail Group summed it up nicely in the video below (email readers click here)