“Bonkers” describes the outcome of the Planning Committee on the application by Prologis to build a warehouse in front of the incinerator.
No problem with the design, the concept but rather the usage proposed because it will deliver more HGV and LGV traffic onto Beddington Lane. As we have already identified, another huge application will shortly be up for consideration with SUEZ looking to transfer their operations from the ecological disaster area they have left in Mitcham over to Beddington Lane.
Croydon Council have already tabled their concerns on that application, concerns that had been placed on the planning portal for the Prologis application.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19lBPFJ4iHUJ1LewumEaiDVrPa9YTCTCP/view?usp=sharing
And the GLA had tabled their own concerns and the permission is subject to their ratification.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c27mQfCKkK1Z1z1ZPeEdQeBpxoMBgwto/view?usp=sharing
A little background to this application – Thames Water owned the land that was designated Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Well known property agency Saviles lobbied the Planning Inspectorate to re-designate the land for industrial use and this was incorporated in the Local Plan. The only Councillor involved with that process was the Lead Member for Planning, Cllr Jayne McCoy, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council.
We were approached by Prologis immediately on our election in May 2018 but declined to get involved as we had concerns over the project and did not want to influence any subsequent planning application.
At the Planning Committee last week, when the applicant was given opportunity to speak a number of people stepped up – Prologis representatives including a Director, their Transport Consultant and a representative of their agency – Saviles!
During their speeches, the Director of Prologis emphasised that they had not had any part in the re-designation of the site which I questioned saying that my understanding was that Saviles had lobbied the Planning Inspectorate. After a moment’s embarrassed silence, the young lady from Saviles said “That wasn’t us, if was another branch acting for Thames Water.” I observed that it must have been “the other Saviles”.
In spite of the flawed traffic plan, the concerns of the London Borough of Croydon and the impassioned objections of Cllr Mattey the plan was approved with the majority Lib Dem representation on the Committee all voting in favour.
My concern over this over-rides the obvious – it is the number of people impacted who live and work in this Borough who use Beddington Lane and who understand its inadequacy of a thoroughfare.
And if that wasn’t enough – a letter was issued this week by Highways – you will recall the promise to put a 7.5 tonne limit on Hillyers Lane/ Beddington Lane through Beddington Village – go on, you remember the removal of the traffic light controlled crossings, the new road markings etc? Well it is still “in consultation” as the letter shows.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iwweq69W4BhaCRktW8pOl1xs_b2tqDPD/view?usp=sharing
It is my intention to voice my ongoing concerns about the planning to the GLA but please, if you live in the area, use Beddington Lane or are just concerned for the health and welfare of those who live and work in the surrounding area, make your concerns heard on the application for the SUEZ development – application DM2018/01865:
https://planningregister.sutton.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage