OXTED SANDPIT- NEW LANDFILL THREAT

The Environment Agency has said it's likely to issue a permit for landfilling to begin at Oxted Sandpit in Barrow Green Road just along from the Chalkpit Lane horror. That would mean even more HGVs on the roads. A final decision is expected soon.

The Agency has said that in making its decision it only has to consider what happens within the Sandpit not what happens outside. However East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has established that this is not correct. He has tabled a Parliamentary Question to establish the Agency's remit and the reply he has received states:

"The Environment Agency has a duty to take action to reduce any negative impacts that are a direct result of a permitted activity. The Environment Agency's criteria apply both inside and outside the site"

As a result he has written to the Agency official responsible for the Sandpit and to the Agency's Chairman reminding them of their duty to take account of the bigger picture and, in particular, of the intolerable number of HGVs that will result from granting the permit.

To view the correspondence click on the first headline.

To view television coverage of the recent protest against the massive amount of landfilling in Oxted and the threat of legal action by Mr Mohamed Al Fayed and his neighbours click on the second headline

Lawyers for Mr & Mrs Al Fayed and other Oxted residents have written to the Agency saying a decision to issue a permit would be "perverse" and "susceptible to successful legal challenge"

After the Core Strategy; the next stage