Developer Argent has won a six-year battle to secure planning permission from Camden council for its scheme to regenerate King's Cross.

The regeneration developer secured outline consent for the scheme at an extraordinary meeting of the inner London borough's development control subcommittee, which stretched over two nights.

The committee endorsed its officer's recommendation that they grant permission for central London's largest regeneration scheme. The site covers 27 ha of land at the back of King's Cross station. Most of it is former railway land and much has been derelict for 40 years Argent is proposing to build 1946 homes, 40% of which will be affordable, and up to 650 units of student accommodation. Argent increased the proportion of affordable housing under pressure from the local authority.

The mixed-use scheme also includes 455,510 m2 of business and employment floorspace, 45,925 m2 of shopping and entertainment uses and leisure facilities, including a 25 m swimming pool.

New uses will be found for heritage buildings, including the famous gas holders.

The scheme will now be referred, as is standard practice with all large developments, to deputy prime minister John Prescott.