Plans for the controversial massive UKCMRI laboratory for central London were approved by a majority of the councillors on the voting panel, at Camden Town Hall on December 16th. However, the plans still have to be referred to the Mayor of London and the Department for Communities and Local Government for consideration and also a planned Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the project has been announced. More below.....

After a lengthy Council Meeting in Camden Town Hall, on the evening of 16th December, plans for the highly controversial massive UKCMRI laboratory for alongside St Pancras International Station were approved by eight councillors who voted in favour of the proposal - one councillor abstained and four voted against. As well as short statements allowed by two councillors opposed and not on the voting panel (Development Control Committee), objectors were given only ten minutes to verbally put their views across. A recommendation was made in the Planning Report, produced beforehand: "GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION SUBJECT TO A SECTION 106 LEGAL AGREEMENT BEING COMPLETED AND SUBJECT TO ANY DIRECTION FROM THE MAYOR OF LONDON STATING THE CONTRARY." The proposal now needs to be referred to the Mayor of London and CLG for consideration.

NEW PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE INQUIRY: The Science and Technology Committee has announced an inquiry into the UKCMRI project. This is separate from the planning application made to Camden Council. Written submissions are accepted until 12th January, 2011. Link here to more information and guide to writing submissions - http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/111118---new-inquiry-announced/

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The gigantic UKCMRI bioresearch laboratory centre project is planned to handle extremely dangerous pathogens in 79,000 square metres of building in central London. Estimated to cost £600 million and a further £100 million per year to operate, the government have offered £220 million towards this at a time of brutal cutbacks. Link here to more information re original planning application. The Evening Standard has found out about a high security "management plan" for it - link to report here.