Kings Cross Central development programme

Kings Cross Central

The Kings Cross Central development programme will transform a large area of ‘brownfield’ land in central London into a wide-ranging new community.  In addition to premium office space and some 1,900 new homes, there will be hotels, student accommodation, sports and leisure, health, community, education and other facilities.  The developers recognise that it is in their interests to support local initiatives on jobs and training and have accepted a range of obligations under a Section 106 agreement.  

Outline details of initiative

Sector:Mixed-Use development

Client: Argent, in joint venture with London and Continental Railways and DHL 

Scope, value: Approx £2bn mixed development of mainly derelict land, including retention of listed structures and other features, and provision of community facilities

Project structure: Individual contracts generally two-stage d&b, placed with panel of three main contractors.

Programme dates: Planned start 2007/8, programmed over 15 to 20 years.

Workforce Development Programme

Target communities: Local people in two relevant London boroughs with addresses in defined ‘impact zones’, for training and sustainable employment, during and post construction

Target skills/abilities to be developed: In construction phase – appropriate skills; Post construction – qualifications and skills appropriate to career progression in Estate Management

Target levels of qualification to be achieved: Generally NVQ level 2

Target numbers to be involved: 5% of site workforce undertaking training towards NVQ; 2½ % on short courses towards CSCS card, H&S awareness etc

Partners/stakeholders: Argent; London Boroughs of Camden and Islington; main contractors; specialist contractors

Implementation – approach, methodology

Overall strategy

S106 agreement requiring developer to:

  • Provide Construction Training Centre
  • Employ Workplace / Construction Coordinator
  • Set up a contractors’ forum
  • Use reasonable endeavours to:
    • Develop qualified workforce
    • Provide access to assessors re work-based learning
    • Ensure contractors and principal subcontractors cooperate

      Training
    • Accredited courses leading to award of NVQs / recognised qualifications

Coverage in contract terms: Developer’s S106 obligations to be reflected in construction contracts, drafted case by case.

Monitoring, enforcement: S106 requires developer to supply monitoring information from contractors on:

  • Delivery of jobs / training
  • Take-up by postcode, gender, age, job description, ethnicity, disability, previous employment status