Townhall planners side with campaigners raising concerns over controversial scrap metal yard
By Rachael Griffiths
Townhall planners have sided with a campaign group that is raising concerns about air quality and kids’ health over a business move.
Metal company Southwark metals want to move one of their scrap metal yards to Windsor Grove, West Norwood.
But MP for Dulwich and West Norwood Helen Hayes addressed a Lambeth planning committee earlier this month.
She pleaded with its members to reject plans to pollute Lambeth.
They unanimously stated their opposition to the application from Southwark metals.
Campaigners for Scrap the Yard have been lambasting Lambeth council to prioritise climate change, air quality and kids’ health ahead of cash.
The move would put the health of residents and their kids at risk, and there has already been major protests against the proposed move.
The committee were in the middle of refusing the application when the Chair was advised that, under the Council’s standing orders, the meeting had run out of time.
There was no time to finalise the reasons for refusal, so it was agreed the committee would reconvene to formally approve their grounds for refusal.
Rob Andrew from Norwood Action Group and the Campaign said: ‘The Planning Committee saw right through the spin of over-paid consultants who believe they can prove whatever the client hopes for.
“Full marks to the Planning Committee for listening to the community and its evidence of gold-standard integrity that reflected the real world.”
A Spokesperson from Southwark Metals said: “The committee has yet to reach a formal decision on Windsor Grove. As an applicant, we respect the decision-making process.
“Therefore, we will not pre-empt the determination to be made by the committee at the next meeting. The facts remain unchanged.
“The application before the committee is for a modern, enclosed metal recycling facility on an existing, safeguarded waste site within a Key Industrial Business Area (KIBA).
“It has an officer’s recommendation for approval and, if consented, it will help the Lambeth tackle the massive shortfall it faces in dealing with the Borough’s waste.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
