My chance to raise concerns over waste transfer station plans

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Today I have been representing local residents and businesses at a meeting of Essex County Council highlighting various concerns over a planned waste transfer station in Harlow.

It is vital that various issues are resolved before approval is given for such a use.

I have already met with local residents, the head teacher of Tanys Dell Primary School, local business representatives and Essex County Council environment cabinet member Kevin Bentley and several council officers following concerns from residents over the proposal.

Whilst I appreciate the efforts made by councillor Bentley to listen fairly to the objections of residents, we still have serious concerns about the proposals.

It is true that the site itself, as it is vacuum sealed, is unlikely to cause smells and pollution. But the situation with the numerous trucks transporting the waste, is much less clear.

The proposed location is simply in the erong place, would cause traffic chaos along West Road, create smells, noise and pollution and attract vermin.

Some 100 vehicles will cause gridlock down West Road, arriving at approximately 10.30am and 2.30pm.

The proposal is for these vehicles to come in at West Road and leave at West Road turning round at the Howard Roundabout and coming back up Edinburgh Way.

Local people are genuinely concerned about the traffic impact, especially at rush hour."

West Place is a very quiet light industrial area to work. There are genuine concerns about the noise especially early in the morning.

The proposed use will mean a loss of local jobs as the site was originally set to be a new industrial site for several business units that would have created many jobs for Harlow people. The impact on business and local land values could significant.

It’s the wrong location, as the site is a long way from the A414 entrance to Harlow, it will devalue business premises, cause congestion and traffic gridlock and degrade what is a pleasant and good quality working environment.

There will be high noise levels, a risk of vermin, high levels of unpleasant odours, a loss of jobs - and additionally there is the site's close proximity to Tany’s Dell School which only goes to underline the fact that this is totally the wrong place for such a facility.

It is vital that these issues are addressed before the plans go through.