Plans for giant scrapyard approved

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

The Government has approved plans for a giant scrapyard dubbed a “monstrosity”.

Housing minister Marcus Jones overturned Lambeth council’s decision to block the 1,915 sqm metal recycling centre following an appeal by developer Urban & Provincial.

The Labour-led council threw out the scrapyard plans at the bottom of Windsor Grove in West Norwood in 2021.

More than 5,000 people signed a petition opposing the recycling centre, saying they feared the lorries it would attract could increase pollution in the area and harm the health of children.

But Conservative Mr Jones, who has been in the post since July 7, dismissed residents’ concerns and found in favour of the developer’s appeal.

He said noise from passing traffic would not have an “unacceptable impact” on locals.

Helen Hayes, Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, has previously called Windsor Grove an “entirely inappropriate” site for the planned scrapyard.

In a letter opposing the plans from December 2021, she said the proposed centre would see 150 vehicles a day travelling down the small cul-de-sac to deliver metal.

Residents have six weeks to lodge an appeal with the High Court if they want to challenge the minister’s decision.

Pictured top: Windsor Grove in West Norwood (Picture: Grainne Cuffe)