Labour fails to say no to Pinkham Way

Posted on 19th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Labour councillors were accused last night of hiding behind the complexities of planning law to deflect attention from their failure to back local residents in the overwhelming opposition against the development on Pinkham Way.

Supported by hundreds of protesters in the public gallery and outside Wood Green Civic Centre, local Liberal Democrats tabled a motion highlighting the unsuitability of the residential site for a waste processing plant and lorry depot.

Speeches by councillors Solomon and Jenks reiterated the failures in the Council’s and the North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) public consultation and the way in which the Labour Council changed land use designation, which made the Pinkham Way proposals possible, without proper public consultation.

However, Labour members refused to back local people and claimed that the Council could not express a view on the application.

Campaigners finally get major concessions from authorities

Campaigners did receive welcome news that the Council, following talks with the NLWA, announced the planning application would not be heard until further details come forward and the waste plan is finalised.

Local Liberal Democrats, whilst welcoming the extra time for residents to have their say, branded this a diversion and have said that the last minute u-turn showed that Labour had not been listening and has only recently under pressure started to take the issue seriously. The concessions provided by the Council, Liberal Democrats said, were down to the determination of local campaigners; they vowed that their fight against the Pinkham Way proposals would continue.

Bounds Green councillors fail their residents

In a further twist, local Bounds Green councillors also failed to back the Liberal Democrat motion. Liberal Democrats have accused these Labour councillors of failing their residents by not standing up to the development despite saying they were against the plans.

Cllr Juliet Solomon (Alexandra Ward) comments:

“Labour have let residents down and, every step of the way, failed to put local people at the heart of this important issue. I’m glad that the Council has finally started to see sense but it is too little, too late. Labour would rather hide behind procedure than back their constituents against Pinkham Way – this was made very clear last night.

“The concessions from the Council are thanks to local campaigners backed by Liberal Democrats who have made Labour sit up and finally take notice.

“Whilst this is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough so I will continue the Liberal Democrat fight against Pinkham Way.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“The huge crowds yesterday at the Civic Centre show the strength of public feeling on Pinkham Way. There are still so many questions hanging over Labour’s involvement in this issue, a few concessions on the timing of this development are not enough.

“This site is not suitable for this major development, and together with local residents, I will fight the plans tooth and nail. Rest assured, we are on your side.”

MPs unite to fight plans to build waste plant in residential area

Posted on 28th Jun 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Three North London MPs have combined forces to help residents defeat plans to build a waste treatment plant at Pinkham Way.

Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey and Wood Green), Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) and David Burrowes (Enfield Southgate) met last week to discuss the plans, which they say would fundamentally change the nature of the area.

The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has submitted plans to Haringey Council to build a massive waste treatment factory on woodland adjacent to the North Circular Road’s junction with Colney Hatch Lane. Included in the plan is the relocation of Barnet Council’s vehicle depot onto the site, which is in the borough of Haringey.

The plant would treat 300,000 tonnes of black bin waste from at least four London boroughs and the site would generate more than 1,100 vehicle journeys a day through one of the busiest junctions in London.

Residents are concerned about the overall effects of introducing an enormous factory into their community, and especially about the effects of the traffic fumes, the noise and the smells from the factory, which will be working 24 hours a day.

Local parents are particularly worried about the health of their children, especially those with respiratory problems such as asthma.

Ms Featherstone MP, whose Hornsey and Wood Green constituency includes Pinkham Way where the plant is planned, said:

‘I know how worried local residents are about the plans. I think it’s fantastic that we have come together, MPs and residents, from different parties and from different walks of life, to fight the waste plant the NLWA is planning to shoehorn into our local community. Together we will be stronger.’

Ms Villiers MP, whose Chipping Barnet constituency includes the access roads to the proposed site, said:

‘I remain convinced that Pinkham Wood is simply the wrong location for a waste disposal plant. A major worry is the potential impact of hundreds of extra lorry journeys into and out of the site each day at an already congested section of the North Circular. I am also concerned about worsening air quality as a result.

‘I am campaigning alongside my constituents against the plans and would encourage them to make their views known to Haringey Planning Department, when the plans are made available for comment.”

Mr Burrowes, whose Enfield Southgate constituency is adjacent to the site, said:

‘This is the first time MPs have come together across the three constituencies to campaign on an issue. This cross-party unity of purpose, to stop the Pinkham Way plans, is an exceptional demonstration of the widespread opposition to the proposal. The primary issue of the impact on the local environment – air quality and traffic – is rightly a matter of huge importance for all of our constituents.’

Local people have formed the Pinkham Way Alliance to focus their opposition to the plans and ensure that their voices are heard.

Speaking on behalf of the Alliance, local resident Colin Parish said:

‘The fact that our MPs have got together to fight these plans is further evidence of just how inappropriate they are. We are now calling on councillors in the three boroughs to unite to throw out these plans and come up with something more acceptable.

‘You can’t put a massive waste factory in the middle of a community – the nearest flat is just 85 metres from the site, the nearest primary school is only 308 metres away. It would be madness to go ahead with this scheme and we hope our MPs will be able to influence the outcome and help the NLWA to find a more suitable venue.’

Muswell Hill Area Forum Councillors give thumbs down to Pinkham Way

Posted on 20th Jun 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Muswell Hill residents packed the British Legion Hall last Thursday to hear about the controversial Pinkham Way Waste Plant from Haringey Council officers at the first meeting of the new Muswell Hill Area Forum. The Pinkham Way proposal was on the agenda at the insistence of Liberal Democrat councillors who demanded residents be given the opportunity to discuss the plans, and question planning officers.

Haringey will be handling the planning application, so the meeting was welcomed by many who were disappointed by the North London Waste Authority’s refusal to speak at a public meeting Lynne Featherstone MP was hoping to organise earlier in the spring. At the Forum Committee meeting, local councillors also voted overwhelmingly for a motion that criticised the Pinkham Way waste facility proposals.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Alexandra, Juliet Solomon commented:

“This is an issue that local people care passionately about, and I have frankly been astounded that the waste authority is so unwilling to meet with local people and hear their concerns. I was therefore delighted that the issue was discussed at the Area Forum, and residents didn’t hold back in showing their outrage at the plans.

“I am also really pleased to see local councillors taking an unequivocal stand on this troubling proposal. Local residents in three boroughs are shocked and dismayed by the proposals and will be reassured to know that their fears are shared by their elected representatives who will be arguing against the plant strongly in every possible arena.”

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone added:

“The waste authority is planning to squeeze in this giant waste plant in the middle of a residential area, and residents are rightly outraged. I am this week meeting with the MPs from Enfield and Barnet, to see how we can jointly stop this monstrosity. Once the planning application is available for comment, we will also be writing to local people to tell them how best to respond. Please also sign our petition and show your opposition to the plans. Together we will fight these plans.”

The text of the motion passed reads:

“This Area Committee opposes the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) plans for a waste facility at Pinkham Way, and calls on the NLWA to drop the plans.

“Whilst we recognise the need to plan responsibly for waste disposal, this must not be through the location of a huge plant in a residential area with the excessive movement of large lorries that will result.”

“We further oppose plans for the use of the site by Barnet LB as a lorry park. The London Borough of Barnet should make arrangement for the parking of such vehicles in its own borough.”

Pinkham Way

Posted on 5th Jun 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Was out on Saturday morning petitioning against the proposals for a new,

giant, waste processing plant at Pinkham Way. So many people worried and

anxious: traffic, pollution, noise, disturbance to wildlife habitat for starters.

In April, I asked David Beadle, the managing director of the NLWA to speak at a public meeting to raise awareness about proposals to build the waste plant and to listen to local concerns before the NLWA submitted the planning application to Haringey Council.

He refused.

That says it all really. Being at a public meeting and being prepared to listen to local residents, before submitting the plans, would have gone some way towards giving residents assurances that their concerns will be heard.

The NLWA is a public body funded by local tax payers – they should feel duty bound to attend a meeting and engage with residents over these major plans. Mr Beadle said he found public meetings unproductive and preferred presentations to small groups!

There is an online petition about the plans which you can sign, or if you’d like to find out more about the issue see my recent blog pieces on Pinkham Way here. There is also good information on the Pinkham Way Alliance website here.

The issue will be discussed at the 16 June meeting of the Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Highgate and Fortis Green Area Forum: 6:30pm at the British Legion on Muswell Hill Road, N10 3NG.

NLWA boss refuses to attend public meeting on Pinkham Way

Posted on 19th May 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Local Liberal Democrats have demanded that Haringey Council intervenes after the top boss at the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) this week refused to attend a public meeting on the controversial plans to build a waste processing plant at Pinkham Way.

In April 2011, Lynne Featherstone MP asked David Beadle, the managing director of the NLWA to speak at a meeting to raise awareness about proposals to build the waste plant and to listen to local concerns before the NLWA submitted the planning application to Haringey Council.

Following the rebuff by NLWA Lynne Featherstone MP has today written to the Labour representatives who sit on the publicly funded NLWA board, Councillors Nilgun Canver and George Meehan, asking that they personally intervene by asking the top boss to reconsider the invitation.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The consultation into plans to build a huge waste plant at Pinkham Way to date has been shambolic. I’m really disappointed that the waste authority has refused to address these concerns by attending a public meeting.

“Being at the meeting and being prepared to listen to local residents, before submitting the plans, would have gone some way towards giving residents assurances that their concerns will be heard.

“The NLWA is a public body funded by local tax payers – they should feel duty bound to attend a meeting and engage with residents over these major plans. I have today therefore written to councillors Meehan and Canver, asking them encourage Mr Beadle to reconsider.

“I share many residents’ fears about the plans to build this huge waste plant in a residential area and right next to local schools. The area already suffers from bad traffic, and over 330 lorries entering and exiting the site each day will make a bad situation worse. Rest assured, I will stand alongside residents in fighting these plans.”

Local Liberal Democrats meet Pinkham Way bosses to raise residents' concerns

Posted on 15th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To make sure that the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is aware of local concern over plans to build a waste processing plant at Pinkham Way, local Liberal Democrats yesterday presented the authority’s top boss with views from hundreds of local residents who had responded to a Liberal Democrat survey.

Lynne Featherstone MP and Alexandra ward councillor Juliet Solomon met with David Beadle following serious concerns about a lack of consultation of residents living close to the proposed site. To ensure local residents could have their say, Liberal Democrats earlier in April sought the views of thousands of local people in Alexandra and Bounds Green wards.

At the meeting, residents’ top concerns were raised, such as the size of the development and levels of traffic and pollution. The Waste Authority also promised to write to local residents in early May to explain the plans in more detail.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The plan to build a waste plant at Pinkham Way will have a big effect on people in Bounds Green and Alexandra wards – yet 97% of people who responded to our survey felt they had not been adequately consulted. That’s just not good enough when we’re talking about such a major development.

“So I was glad to be able to raise residents’ concerns. People are mainly worried about the size of the development, the volume of traffic, noise and odour. I hope the NLWA will consider these views closely before putting in their planning application later in the spring. And I hope that from now on, local residents will get a chance to have a say at every step of the way.”

Alexandra councillor Juliet Solomon adds:

“It’s good to see that the NLWA is doing something about the lack of information for local residents – and they are now planning to write to everyone living close to the site, to set the plans out in more detail.

“It’s crucial that local people know what’s going on so that they are in a good place to respond to the planning application later on in the spring. In the meantime, residents can of course write to both Lynne and me with their concerns, and we will communicate them to the NLWA. We’re here to support you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch”.

Bounds Green residents outraged at lack of consultation on Pinkham Way

Posted on 7th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

A group of local mothers have this week confirmed fears about the lack of consultation of the local community over plans to build a new waste plant at Pinkham Way.

Lynne Featherstone MP met with mums who live close to the site on Friday (1st April 2011) to listen to their concerns and find out what consultation has taken place to date on the controversial plans. One local mother, Sakina Chenot, said she was “outraged” at the lack of consultation.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP arranged the meeting after being contacted by worried residents who feel they have not been informed or consulted about plans to build a waste processing plant at Pinkham Way in Bounds Green. At the meeting, local residents Sakina, Lisa, Tara and Parveen questioned Haringey Council and the Waste Authority’s claim that local people had received letters about the plans in February. Whilst Barnet Council, who own the land, have made efforts to inform residents about the plans, Haringey Council have been quiet on the issue, leaving local residents unsure of what is happening.

To make sure people affected by the plans get a chance to have a say, Lynne Featherstone MP last week wrote to thousands of local residents asking for their views before she meets with the Waste Authority on the 14th April. Residents who want to write to Lynne about the plans, should either email her on lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org or write to her at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I’m really worried about the plans for Pinkham Way and their knock-on effect on people living in the Bounds Green and Alexandra Area. And a lot of local residents share my concern.

“With any such major plans, it’s essential that local people have a say. It’s really worrying that local people feel they have not been informed or consulted.

“That’s why I wrote to thousands of local residents last week, asking for their views. I’ll make sure the Waste Authority hear of them when we meet up. And there is still time. If you are worried, do get in touch.”

Bounds Green resident Sakina Chenot adds:

“The waste authority is planning to build a waste plant very close to my house, but no one from either the NLWA or Haringey have contacted me about the plans. I’m very surprised at claims that we have all received letters about this. All four of us here today live within close proximity to Pinkham Way, and none of us have had anything through our letterbox.

“As a local resident who will be directly affected, I am outraged that I haven’t had a say yet. I want to make my voice heard on this development, which I fear will have a real detrimental effect on the local neighbourhood – consult me now!”

Pinkham way development

Posted on 4th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

The proposals for the Pinkham Way development are causing deep concern amongst local residents.

The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) want to build a giant waste treatment plant and vehicle depot at Pinkham Way. It is huge. It will process the waste from seven local boroughs. It will be one of the largest biological and mechanical treatment plants in Europe. The land is owned by Haringey – but the application is from NLWA and Barnet – who will use part of the site to situate its fleet vehicles involved in waste, recycling and street cleaning.

The site is in a local neighbourhood – and residents are angry on two fronts.

Firstly – that they haven’t been consulted. Whilst NLWA and Haringey claim people were notified – this clearly isn’t the case. In fact I met with three very concerned mothers on Friday – none of whom had received any information whatsoever and who told me that apart from one householder they knew who had received a tiny leaflet with minimal information or explanation – none of the local people they know had received anything.

And secondly local people are angry because of the emissions, volume of heavy trucks, environmental damage, noise, pollution and general degradation of the area.

Clearly there had been a small distribution of information – but much of the growing local campaign has been on the back of word of mouth and the Bowes Park and Bounds Green Residents Association, The Pinkham Way Alliance and Cllr Juliet Solomon (Liberal Democrat councillor for Alexandra Ward) who have all been active in trying to get the message out and holding local meetings.

Earlier this month local councillor, Juliet Solomon, met with Council bosses to highlight the complete lack of consultation with residents in Alexandra ward and to raise a number of their concerns, in particular the impact of the additional lorry traffic on an already busy area.

Juliet and I are asking for all local residents’ views on the proposals so we can ensure that these concerns are clearly taken into account when we meet the with top bosses at the NLWA the week after next.

Last week residents in Bounds Green met to discuss the issue and agreed to fight the plans, highlighting their concerns over the size of the development, the noise and traffic created by the 24-hour facility and the potential storage of methane gas.

When the time comes – ie when the planning application is made – everyone will need to put in their own objections and reasons for objecting – but for the purposes of my meeting with NLWA please don’t hesitate to email me at featherstonel@parliament.uk to let me know your views.

Note: The proposed site is directly opposite the Retail Park near the Bounds Green junction with the North Circular.

Haringey Liberal Democrats ask for views on Pinkham Way development

Posted on 28th Mar 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrats have renewed their calls for consultation with local residents on the controversial plans for a depot and new waste processing facilities at Pinkham Way.

Earlier this month local councillor, Juliet Solomon, met with Council bosses to highlight the complete lack of any consultation with residents in Alexandra ward and to raise a number of their concerns, in particular the impact of the additional lorry traffic on an already busy area.

Cllr. Solomon and Lynne Featherstone MP are now asking for all local residents’ views on the proposals so they can ensure that these concerns are clearly taken into account when they meet in a few weeks’ with top bosses at the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

Last week residents in Bounds Green met to discuss the issue and agreed to fight the plans, highlighting their concerns over the size of the development, the noise and traffic created by the 24-hour facility and the potential storage of methane gas.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s clear from the many residents’ meetings over the past week that many people think they are being left out of a massive decision that will affect their community greatly.

“Liberal Democrats want local residents’ voices to be heard and that is why we will be going to NLWA armed with concerns from local people. I ask that anybody who is concerned get in touch and we will make sure that NLWA sit up and listen.”

Cllr Juliet Solomon (Alexandra ward) adds:

“I am still not convinced that council bosses fully understand that local people deserve to be consulted. This is the largest development in this area for years yet many people feel that their concerns are being ignored.”