8:56am Tuesday 12th August 2008
By Charlotte Gray
A controversial concrete factory which was approved by a planning inspector two years ago is causing a stir again.
London Concrete was granted permission to build a concrete factory in Cranford Way in Hornsey two years ago on appeal after it was turned down by Haringey Council.
A planning inspector for Secretary of State Hazel Blears imposed 43 conditions on the company after a public inquiry in 2006 despite massive public protests.
Haringey council is now consulting neighbours and businesses again after London Concrete has resubmitted some of these conditions to the planning committee for approval.
A council spokesman said: “We will be asking independent consultants for their views as to whether the details submitted by London Concrete are satisfactory. This is in addition to our own scientific officer looking at these issues.
“Once the comments of the various consultants have been received, planning officers would be happy to meet with ward councillors to discuss their findings.”
Stroud Green ward Councillor Ed Butcher said this latest application is “disappointing”. He said: "Our community was devastated by the planning inspector's decision to give the go ahead to this hideous development, but there was a tiny glimmer of hope in the conditions he imposed that might reduce the impact.
"I find it very disappointing that a new application has been lodged slap-bang in the middle of summer when many residents are away.”
London Concrete have the go-ahead to build a concrete factory in the Ferme Park depot in Cranford Way, in order to transport the material by train using the existing Network Rail tracks.
Hundreds of residents plead with the council two years ago to reject London Concrete’s application, arguing it would affect their quality of life.
However the council’s failure to publish a decision within the alloted time meant the company could appeal to a Government inspector.
The inquiry granted permission with 43 conditions to limit operational capacity to an average of 62 lorry movements a day, reduce noise and control dust.
The Liberal Democrats fear this latest application will make these problems worse. Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone, who campaigned fervently against the concrete factory in public meetings two years ago, has called on people to comb through this latest application.
She said: "People who are going to be affected should now have a right publicly to scrutinise these new plans to make sure they conform 100 per cent to all the requirements imposed by the planning inspector.
"The views of local people were completely ignored when the original permission was finally granted. Now is the chance to give them some power back, in making sure that what is built is done to the letter of the planning permission given."
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