Barnet residents to picket Hendon Town Hall ahead of cabinet meeting

The North London Waste Authority wants to use a site next to the A406 Pinkham Way, between Haringey, Enfield and Barnet, to build a new waste facility.

Included in the plans are a 23m high building covering an area the size of two football pitches, while the plant would bring an extra 1,200 vehicles through the area each day.

Tonight Barnet Council’s cabinet is expected to ratify the draft plan, the last of the seven member boroughs to do so.

Bidesh Sarkar, chairman of residents’ pressure group the Pinkham Way Alliance, said the plans were not suitable for a residential area and would lower people’s quality of life.

He said: “‘Barnet has been trying to sell off this land for 40 years. It stands to gain millions for a site that would otherwise be worthless, but they don’t realise that for us, it's priceless. We intend to be at the council meeting to ensure our voice is heard.'

“This plant would be the biggest of its kind in the UK, and it would result in massive disruption in our lives and the lives of our children.

“All of the similar plants in Europe are built far away from of towns and cities where they do not disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens.”

In the council’s document it says the plan needs to be approved soon in order for the scheme to proceed, or it could face financial penalties.

Mr Sarkar added: “Our human rights would be violated if this huge, ugly building, with all its attendant traffic, noise and pollution was built on our doorsteps.

“We urge Barnet, Enfield and Haringey councils, and the four other north London boroughs involved in this madcap scheme, to think again.

“They must come up with something more sensible that will be better for the environment, better for local council tax payers and voters, and better for London as a whole.”