Plant would add to neglect

Thousands of homes and numerous schools would fall within its affected catchment area. Enfield Council’s plans for a major new development at New Southgate/Ladderswood will also substantially increase the population close to the proposed waste plant.

More than 40 years of A406 planning blight” needs to be rectified.

However, this waste plant, if approved, would exacerbate traffic congestion, and add to the neglect. Town planning exists to protect people and their environment but this protection can only work when authorities properly represent their electors and provide meaningful public consultation for locally affected people. This has not happened in this case.

Despite the clearest statement in the recent full council meeting, that consultation had been wholly inadequate for the people most affected by this proposal, Barnet Council still agreed to continue with the planning application to Haringey Council. The formal vehicle for objecting —The North London Waste Plan, which does not finish its public enquiry investigations until 2012 — has been completely sidelined.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, states that 97 per cent of residents have concerns about a lack of consultation. Ms Featherstone and Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, are lobbying for proper public consultation and town planning. David Burrowes MP is actively campaigning against this proposed waste plant, and is rightly urging Enfield Council to oppose this planning application.

It is vital that these MPs and Ward councillors for Alexandra, Bounds Green, Coppetts, Southgate-Green and Bowes Wards honourably represent locally affected people. Accurate exhibitions will be required in these wards.

These borough MPs, councillors, and residents should actively participate in the planning process when proposals for a waste plant at Pinkham Way are considered by Haringey Council.

John Waller
Bounds Green & District Residents’ Association