Controversial plans to sell off land for housing development at Richmond Council's depot in the Crane Valley in Twickenham have caught the attention of the Mayor of London.

Ken Livingstone has made it clear that recycling and waste facilities must not be compromised. Richmond Council's opposition environment spokesman Cllr Martin Elengorn, commented: "I pressed cabinet member David Marlow on this at the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 October but his answers were remarkably vague.

"There was no officer present who could speak authoritatively on the Council's land requirements to meet its responsibilities for waste and recycling. Clearly facilities are required both sides of the borough.

"I intend to pursue this matter energetically in the Waste Scrutiny Task Group that has just been set up. The Environment Scrutiny Committee will also be returning to this subject when the responses to consultations on the Crane Valley Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) are considered."

The Mayor was responding to a question put by Darren Johnson, Green Party Assembly Member.

Waste management sites - Richmond Question No: 1282 / 2004
Darren Johnson: "Are you concerned that Richmond's draft SPG on development in the Crane Valley (currently out for consultation) proposes redevelopment for housing on half of the site currently used for recycling at Central Depot, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, given that Richmond and the West London Waste Authority claim that additional incineration is likely to be needed owing to a shortage of land available for sustainable waste management?

"Will you be objecting to this proposal in the draft SPG?

Ken Livingstone: "When considering my response to the draft SPG I will be assessing the proposals in relation to my London Plan policies. These state that UDP policies should: Safeguard all existing waste management sites.

"The London Plan became part of the Development Plan for the borough with effect from 28th September, 2004 and planning decisions must be made in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The draft SPG states that redevelopment of the site should retain sufficient space for the Council to meet its statutory responsibilities and targets for waste and recycling, including the targets in my strategies.

"Richmond Council will need to convince me that its proposed rationalisation of the buildings and layout of this depot site to provide a more intensive operation will still provide sufficient capacity to address both the borough's own waste management needs as well as sub regional needs. My officers will be taking this matter up directly with Richmond Council officers as part of my response to this draft SPG."

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

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