Archive June 2009 front page
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
As you know, last year's approval of the Core Strategy made sure that the overall policy for development in Tandridge did not rely on Green Belt sites to fulfil the housing targets imposed by central Government. Unfortunately that isn't the end of the process.
The next stage is drawing up 'The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment' (SHLAA). Its aim is to identify all the potential housing land in the district.
It is now up to the Council to carry out a thorough and careful investigation which will ensure that all suitable sites in the built up areas are identified, brought forward and used to their full development potential.
The Residents' Group will do all it can to assist with this and to demonstrate that it is not necessary to build on the Green Belt. With this in mind, it is taking part in the consultation panel which is overseeing the SHLAA.
The panel has now agreed that sites within the Green Belt, including those adjacent to the built up areas, will not be assessed initially but will be held on a list. This list of sites will not be considered unless, at the end of the process, there are not enough sites identified for housing within the built up areas.
If you are aware of any site within the built up areas that may be suitable for housing please let us know or call the Council's Planning Policy Team on 01883 732764 or email planningpolicy@tandridge.gov.uk
Full details about how the assessment is being carried out are on the Council's web page click here
To contact Oxted & Limpsfield Residents email: oxted.residents@btinternet.com
Or write to: P O Box 233, Oxted Post Office, Station Road West, Oxted, RH8 9EH