World Day for Animals In Laboratories

St Pancras Lab Demo

TThe march and rally will be followed by a vigil/protest at the site of the proposed research centre at St Pancras which is expected to house a massive animal research laboratory. At present the site is derelict, but the consortium planning to build the facility is expected to apply to Camden Council for planning permission soon.

Many local residents and their councillors are totally opposed to the development for reasons other than the animals.

Firstly the proposed centre would be carrying out research into deadly viruses and other dangerous substances. The danger of deadly viruses escaping through leaks or explosions is all too obvious, especially given its location in the centre of London, right by the Eurostar rail terminal at St Pancras International Rail Station.

There is also the issue of housing. The land was promised to local residents for housing and other facilities, but instead the government sold the land to the consortium ignoring the protests of local residents.

The media has been acting as if the building of this laboratory is inevitable, and even the Prime Minister has been quoted as giving his support, yet more payback for the biotech and pharma millions which projected New Labour into power.

However, despite years of speculation, the consortium has e yet to even submit a planning application, no doubt hoping to neutralise any opposition beforehand. When they do it will mark the beginning of a big battle between those who want to build the centre on one hand, and on the other, residents, environmentalists, councillors and other politicians.

The vigil at the site after the World Day march will be an excellent opportunity to send a clear signal to the planners that the anti-vivisection and animal rights movement will also form part of a massive opposition to this monstrous project.

As soon as the consortium applies for planning permission, we will let you know, in the meantime please contact Camden Councillors and ask them to do all they can to oppose the building of the research centre. Please copy any correspondence to us at info@wdail.org

There is a list of councillors at the link below, together with their wards, political parties, which committees they are on and other interests they have. In particular those on the Development Control Committee will take the decision whether or not to grant planning permission. Please keep all correspondence polite and informative, it's important we keep the locals and the councillors on our side, or at least do nothing to antagonise them.

List of Councillors here: http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/democracy/atozcouncillors

More details to come soon, but see below for map and directions, or contact us for more details. al rights movement too will be making every effort to prevent this latest example of collusion between the biotech and pharma industry and the government.