Residents unite against Pinkham Way waste centre

Residents in three north London boroughs have joined together to fight plans to build the largest waste processing centre in the UK.

Residents in Barnet, Haringey and Enfield said they had not been properly consulted about the plant.

They have raised concerns over noise pollution and health effects.

About 150 residents protested outside the Town Hall in Barnet as councillors met to discuss wider plans for dealing with waste in north London.

Bidesh Sarkar, of residents' pressure group Pinkham Way Alliance, said: "We are determined to stop this plan in its tracks.

'Near houses'

"We know that the north London boroughs have to deal with their waste, but this is the wrong solution in the wrong place."

Barnet Council sold the site to the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

A spokesman for the council said the site was currently fenced off because the presence of giant hogweed - a toxic plant which can cause irritation to the skin and blisters - made it "extremely dangerous".

The spokesman said the environmental impact of the proposal would be considered by planning officers.

The proposed facility would consist of a 23m (75ft) high building covering an area the size of two football pitches.

Residents say the centre, to be called the Eco Park, will be within 250m (820ft) of the nearest houses.

David Beadle, the managing director of the NLWA, said a traffic assessment had showed the plant would only add "a very small percentage" to the number of vehicles already using the roads in the area.

He added: "The waste facilities will all be enclosed, with no sorting, recycling or treatment in the open air.

"This will help reduce noise and odour. The buildings will be fitted with odour control measures and the site will comply with all required environmental standards."

The NLWA handles waste disposal for seven London boroughs: Waltham Forest, Camden, Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Hackney and Islington.