Concrete Plant: Lib Dem Laura tells Council "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is"

8.06.36pm GMT Wed 19th Oct 2005

Lib Dem councillor for Stroud Green Laura Edge has called on the Council to invest more money in fighting the appeal to turn over the rejection of a planned concrete batching factory in Cranford Way, N8.

Local Lib Dems and residents group, Green N8 are concerned that with less than a month until the appeal is due to be heard the Council is doing little to strengthen its case.

Despite assurances to both Cllr Edge and Green N8 that money would be made available for further independent environmental impact assessments should the application be successfully rejected and go to appeal, the Council appears to be stalling.

At a closed meeting of members of the Executive last night (Tuesday), the Council failed to come to a decision over additional funding for further studies.

One of the three main reasons given for rejection of the application last week was noise pollution, the evidence of which came from an independent assessment that would not have been carried out if it weren't for persistent campaigning from Cllr Edge and Green N8 in the summer.

There is now growing concern that unless the Council provides funding soon there will not be sufficient time to carry out the additional independent studies that would bolster the Council's case for rejection.

Cllr Edge says that many people involved in the battle against the concrete factory are frustrated that despite assurances at a public meeting last month by Labour Councillors, funding has not been made available. She is pressing for urgent action from the Council to prevent a costly overturn on appeal.

Cllr Edge comments: "The Council appears to being saying one thing in public and doing another behind closed doors. It is time for it to put its money where its mouth is.

"Action needs to be taken quickly to fund extra studies which will strengthen our case in time for the appeal. I will be working closely with Green N8 and Lynne Featherstone MP to continue to press the Council for this much needed funding."