[Reposted] North London Waste Plan: Pinkham Wood

Table 6.3 

Pinkham Way – opportunities and constraints

Site name: Friern Barnet former Sewage Treatment Works (Pinkham Way)

Site numbers: 121

Owner: London Borough of Barnet North London Waste Authority

Borough: Haringey

Site area: 5.93ha

Issues for Consideration

Potential use: General waste use.

Existing use: The site has been vacant since the sewage treatment plant was closed in 1963. It does not have existing buildings and is covered in vegetation that has taken hold which is of ecological interest.

Local planning policies: Identified in the Haringey UDP saved policies as employment land and ecologically valuable site; borough grade 1 site of importance to nature conservation (SINC). Schedule 1: Site Specific Proposals: Employment generating uses subject to no adverse effect on the nature conservation value of the site. Defined Employment Area 6. Ecologically Valuable Site 9.

Access: Access to the site is off an access road from the North Circular Road (A406) that also serves a retail estate to the north of the North Circular Road. There is good access to the strategic route network. The developer will need to demonstrate routes that HGVs will use to get to the site.

Sustainable transport: The Kings Cross/Moorgate to Welwyn Garden City/Stevenage railway line runs along the eastern boundary of the site. The railway is on an embankment above the site and so the scope for sustainable transportation of waste may be limited without considerable investment.

Neighbouring uses: The site is bounded to the north by the North Circular Road, to the east by the railway line and embankment and to the south by the Muswell Hill golf club's course. Immediately to the west lies Hollickwood Park and beyond that there is housing. The existing site is screened by vegetation to the south and west. This screening should be retained and improved as part of any development.

Environment: The site has been identified as a SINC (site of importance to nature conservation) and whilst the site has been identified for employment generating uses, there must be no adverse effect on the nature conservation value of the site. The site is also surrounded by areas of importance to nature conservation and any development must not adversely impact these areas and should incorporate features that enhance biodiversity in the wider area.

Potential for decentralised energy: The North Circular Area Action Plan and the New Southgate Area Masterplan are being prepared by Enfield Council and the new waste development should consider the potential to supply energy locally.

Flooding: The site is largely in flood zone 1 with just 16% in flood zone 2. A culverted stream runs below the site. If any of the site’s sewers discharges into it there is a potential flooding risk due to water backing up during high river levels.

Groundwater: As part of the site falls within source protection zone.2, a groundwater risk assessment will be required. Developers are encouraged to engage in early discussion with the Environment Agency.

Delivery and phasing: The Outline Business Case of the North London Waste Authority is shows [sic] the development of this site within the period 2012 to 2017.