'This is not just an Area Forum, this is a Haringey New-style Area Forum' (that is, we left too soon)

Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate Area Forum and Committee: Thursday, 16th June

For the 'Pinkham Way' presentation, given by Haringey Planning, and our report of the Area Forum, link to here.

The 'Area Forum' transformed into an 'Area Committee', later in the evening, and this is taken from the Minutes...

PINKHAM WAY

Cllr Solomon

"The Chair asked that Councillor Solomon give a brief comment and outline of the issues raised during the Forum part of the evening. The Chair also advised that any Committee Member who also sat on the Council’s Planning Sub-Committee, or was a potential substitute member, should consider whether they would wish not to comment, or give a view on this item, as if they did, then it would preclude their participation in the agenda item, when considered by Planning Sub-Committee, in the future.

"Councillor Solomon commented on the proposals and process, as outlined by Mr Dorfman from the Council’s Planning Service, which in her view had been somewhat misleading. In particular, the information contained on the Council’s website, in relation to the application being in ‘outline’. [sic] She stressed that there were no visual plans of the actual size or appearance of the proposals, and that the visual concept would only be forthcoming, once the outline planning permission had been granted, and a process was then gone through for a designer to draw up a ‘mock up of the facilities. Only at that point would residents have any idea of its size and appearance, and this would be after permission had been given, for a certain scale of facility to be built.

Cllr Williams

"Councillor Solomon also commented that this proposed development site, as far as she could gather, was not contained in the London Plan as a strategic site. She added that the planning process for this initiative was an on-going one, and that Members had to be vigilant of the process, in order to ensure that residents were fully informed when needed.

"Councillor Williams commented that the site was viewed as being a strategic site, but this seemed to imply a predetermination of the use of the site alread,y and that this issue was being explored by objectors from a legal perspective.

"Councillor Hare stressed that he had earlier questioned whether the Planning officer Mr Dorfman had the necessary expertise to assess an application of such size, and that he would wish to know further how he would be investigating the more technical aspects of the application, and how such outcome would be verified.

Cllr Hare

The Chair reminded Councillor Hare that it was not appropriate for him to question the professional capabilities of an officer of the Council.

"Councillor Solomon reiterated her earlier comments that the Committee needed to keep a watchful eye on the progress of the application.

"Councillor Solomon then moved the following resolution. At this point, the Clerk to the Committee asked that Members please state if they were abstaining from the proposed MOTION.

"Councillor Solomon MOVED

“That this Area Committee opposes the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) plans for a waste facility at Pinkham Way, and calls on the NLWA to drop the plans.

Whilst we recognise the need to plan reasonably for waste disposal, this must not be through the location of a huge plant in a residential area, with the additional movement of large lorries that will result.

We further oppose plans for the use of the site by Barnet LB as a lorry park. The London Borough of Barnet should make arrangements for the parking of such vehicles in its own Borough."

"The motion was seconded by Councillor Williams. On a vote, the MOTION was carried. Councillors Alison, Newton and Hare abstained from voting on the MOTION.

"RESOLVED

"That this Area Committee opposes the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) plans for a waste facility at Pinkham Way, and calls on the NLWA to drop the plans.

Whilst this Committee recognise the need to plan reasonably for waste disposal, this must not be through the location of huge plant in a residential area with the additional movement of large Lorries that will result.

That this Committee further oppose plans for the use of the site by Barnet LB as a lorry park. The London Borough of Barnet should make arrangements for the parking of such vehicles in its own Borough."

"Councillors Alison, Newton and Hare asked that their abstention to the above resolution be recorded, as they could be substitutes for Planning Committee."