PLANS for big research labs are being ditched in the latest ‘Knowledge Quarter’ turnaround.

A new eight-storey building close to the defunct York Way underground station was meant to be for life sciences – as per the attempt to brand the area around King’s Cross with the new moniker.

But it was announced this week that 176-178 York Way is set to become mainly a block of offices instead, with just two floors of laboratories.

It follows a change of direction at other developments in the area meant to be the Knowledge Quarter, including Belgrove House opposite King’s Cross station, where a research company pulled out.