Haringey’s Lib Dem councillors have expressed their enormous disappointment at the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to give the green light for the construction of a concrete batching plant in Cranford Way, N8.

The decision came despite massive public resistance to the plans. Residents’ groups, local activists, Lib Dem councillors and Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone have fought a long campaign against the proposals for the concrete plant.

Councillor Laura Edge (Stroud Green) worked alongside local residents on the Green N8 campaign, and helped to persuade Haringey Council to carry out independent assessments of the impact of the factory. She comments:

“It is extremely disappointing that the Inspectorate has ignored the views of local people and given the go head for this vastly inappropriate development.

“London Concrete Ltd put all their commercial might behind winning this appeal, hiring a QC to state their case. The decision shows how unfair the current planning system is, with local residents having no right of appeal against a decision which will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on local amenity and quality of life”

Crouch End councillor David Winskill adds:

“This decision is a great disappointment for residents group Green N8, who have worked extremely hard on a campaign the like of which has not been seen before – they deserved a better result. The desperately bad news is that Crouch End and Hornsey residents will now have to look forward to up to 100 lorry movements a day through their communities.”

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Goliath has won against the quality of life for ordinary local people. This is a devastating blow. Whilst London Concrete had the right to appeal the decision, ordinary people don’t have this right.”