Councillors are meeting on Tuesday evening (June 21) to make a decision on whether a recycling plant should be built in West Drayton.
Campaigners have rallied against the most recent plans to build a recycling centre near the High Street, after they were unveiled last December.
Recycling firm Powerday Plc submitted the planning application to Hillingdon Council last year after previously pledging not to develop on the site.
Councillors and residents have since banded together in an attempt to block the plans from progressing as the council met on Tuesday (June 21) to make a decision on the application.
The site just off Tavistock Road, which will incorporate a recovery and recycling building, storage bays and associated car parking, landscaping, fencing and infrastructure, would recover recyclable materials such as plastics, glass and cardboard from businesses and households.
But the site was previously rejected by the council after a 4,000-strong petition.
The site covers around 13 acres, or the same as around seven football pitches.
Hayes and Harlington MP has opposed the scheme but the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip Boris Johnson has not commented on the scheme.
Powerday were fined a record £1.2million in April for storing and depositing 17,000 tonnes of waste illegally.
RECAP
So that wraps up our live coverage of Hillingdon Council’s Major Application decision on the Powerday proposals. To recap, after 90 minutes of debate the council unanimously voted to block the plans, despite calls from the developer’s agent to defer the decision.
Residents and councillors were delighted at the decision, and this is the third time the plans have been refused by the council. For the full story click here.
Unanimous decision
And the committee has taken the vote after 90 minutes of intense debate. Hillingdon Council has refused planning permission for a recycling plant for a third time.
'It's come back again'
Cllr Higgins says: “I don’t understand how on minute this is gone away and then it’s come back again.” Met by applause from the public gallery.
Powerday had previously pledged not to pursue developing the site after a previous application was refused.
MP opposed plans
MP for Hayes and Harlington and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has joined members of the public in opposing the scheme.
Building too big?
Committee member Peter Curling says he thinks another reason for refusal should be considered: the proposed building being too big for it’s use.
'Very little changed'
Major Applications Committee member, Cllr John Morgan, says: “There’s very little changed from this application to the 2013 application.They have said there’s going to be less vehicles, however they haven’t mentioned the actual tonnage that’s going to go through.”
He adds he feels the application should be refused and is met with applause from the public.
The entrance
The site entrance at the junction of Tavistock Rd and Yiewsley High Street
'We are totally united'
Cllr Davis adds: “We are totally united in opposition to this application.
“Hillingdon Council prides itself on putting it’s residents first and this is the perfect opportunity to show that.”
'Boris Johnson supports his constituents'
Councillor for Yiewsley Peter Davis says MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip Boris Johnson has contacted him to support his constituents in opposing the plans.
'Not permitted use'
Cllr Henry Higgins asks Mr James if the site has been used for anything that is not permitted, to which Mr James says ‘yes’.
Re-submission of refused plans
Mr James: “It’s important for the members to understand this application is a re-submission of an application that was refused. It’s very similar. The main change is the capacity.”
"This is to deal with waste generated in west London"
Mr James adds that this facility would process waste generated in west London, not brought in from elsewhere.
'There is no alternative site'
Planning consultant Mr James adds: “There are no alternative sites in the west London area to accommodate a facility of this type.”
'No discussion'
“There has been no discussion with officers despite numerous attempts” says Mr James. “We think these issues can be dealt with.”
Calls for decision to be deferred
Mr James has called for the planing decision to be delayed in light of the refusal from council officers.
'This application could make the site better'
Mr James: “In some ways giving planing application for this site can improve traffic.
“This application gives this committee the opportunity to put in place a traffic plan.”
"The best decision is to refuse"
Residents Association: “We raise again the wisdom of siting a heavy industrial unit with extended working hours close to two town centres and an ever increasing amount of house.”
Noise complaints from the resident's association
A spokesman for the Garden City Estate Residents Association says: “The nuisance is persistent through the night, on most days of the week.”
130 jobs
Powerday say that 130 jobs would be created at the site, but Garden City Estate Residents’Association say that clearing business for the site has reduced the level of employment.
'One final point'
Cllr Sweeting concludes: “Costa Concordia: 114,147 tonnes. Titanic: 46,328 tonnes. The proposed Powerday Plant: 450,000 tonnes.”
That is the amount of recycling that would be processed by the new plant.
Rapturous appplause
Cllr Sweeting finishes addressing the chamber: “I rest my case.
Members of the public erupt in applause
'What a perfect storm that will be'
Cllr Sweeting adds that 308 flats are being built in Tavistock Road on the Diary site: “Vehicles from this development will spill out directly opposite the only entrance to the Coal Yard site.”
'This site has been considered to be totally unsuitable'
Ward councillor for West Drayton, Cllr Sweeting reminds the council similar development have been refused on this site twice before, in November 2011 and December 2013.
Cllr Sweeting
“We respectfully ask the committee to reject this application which we fervently believe, if passed, would bring misery and danger to the people of Yiewsley and West Drayton, cause traffic gridlock in our streets, harm the lives of local people and damage many, mange local businesses both big and small”.
Speeches from petitioners
Cllr Jan Sweeting speaks first: “This submission is delivered on behalf of the 3237 petitioners who signed the main petition”.
