Aldborough Hatch Defence Association

To: Core Strategy Preferred Options Report Borougb of Redbridge Freepost RLSR-JACE-HSUG ,IG11DD

24th February 2012

Response to Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Review Preferred Options Report

The Aldborough Hatch Defence Association (ARDA) represents concerned residents in the local area and further afield in the London Borough ofRedbridge.

In July 2010 the ARDA submitted a detailed response to the Minerals Development Plan: Issues and Options. A copy of that submission is attached here. Many ofthe issues raised in that response continue to be highly relevant and of concern.

The AHDA wishes to make the following concerns known following examination of the Core Strategy Review.

(a) We would resist any planning applications to extract sand and gravel from previous buffer zones where these bare within 150 metres of residential properties. Those buffer zones were put in place to protect the local environment and the homes of residents.

(b) The ARDA appreciates the need for additional house building - especially affordable housing ­ within the Borough and would urge the use of brownfield sites for this purpose. The AHDA would resist any proposals to build on green belt land. Specifically, we wouLd reiterate our concern that the site of the former Parks Department Nursery and the Adolescent Resource Centre adjacent to the Waters and StationIFootball Ground should not be developed for housing. Our fear is that once this green belt land is designated for building purposes, further incursions into the green belt in the area of Oaks Lane would be planned.

(c) Car parking in the area of Aldborough Hatch is a major problem. Commuters from Essex drive to the area, park and catch the Central Line into London. This is something that residents in Aldborough Hatch have to live with. However, any proposal that existing car parks in the area should be used for ___.ng would be resisted on the grounds that there is already inadequate provision of car parking. The ca parks at Newbury Park Station should not be used for housing and any planning application woul be resisted.

L.B. REDBRIDGE PLANNING POLICY &INFO 27 FEB 2013 Q3,OI7 RECEIVED .. Aldborough Hatch Defence Association

To: Minerals Development Plan: Issues and Options Development Plan Document London Borough of Redbridge Freepost RLSR-JACE-HSUG ILFORD,IGIIDD

20th July 2010

Response to Consultation: June/July 2010

(a) The Aldborough Hatch Defence Association (AHDA) represents both concerned in local area and further afield in London Borough of Redbridge, and works closely with Barkingside , the environmental and residents group, whose members support response.

(b) For the past 51 years the residents of both Aldborough Hatch and Barkingside have suffered from the sand and gravel extractions that have taken place on Fairlop When the extraction and infilling processes commenced in 1959, there was little or no account taken by the ther Borough of IIford environmental impact on the homes local residents who suffered from in-filled household and being blown the wind and foul smells. The AHDA was formed in the early 1960s as the direct result of these problems. The has worked closel~ over the intervening years with local authority to ensure both the and infilling were closely controlled and monitored, so that today inert materials are used as infill, buffers been established around residential areas and working practices take account ofthe of local residents.

Whilst those most of areas that have been excavated have been returned to community the harsh fact is that some amenities have been Residents in the wider Borough have gained the much valued Fairlop Waters Country Park (although it should be noted that this was very nearly lost to the London City All-weather Racecourse for vigilance of a of Councillors and local residents' groups), but some not to agricultural use and unattended, uncared for, weed-ridden and derelict - much to detriment of the area. Pick-Your-Own facility at Hall been for ever to community - the PYO was probably only one accessible by residents of Red bridge using public transport. remain question marks over the eventual use of the at Aldborough Hall Farm when the excavations are to be complete in 2012. Will this become a derelict wasteland too?

(d)We mention before commenting on the Consultation document because we believe this are of the Borough has suffered over years and received little back in benefit.

The following comments to specific paragraphs in the Minerals Issues and Options Development Plan Document dated June 10

Para 2.49: We note that in recent discussion with operators, Council Officers been advised that sales of aggregates dropped III (and, we would su~;ge!;[, will continue to fall during the present economic climate). It is stated that some mineral operators are not seeking to expand their areas of search and wiped out budgets bore hole testing. We would expect the Council to take this into account granting further planning applications - specifically for Aldborough House and Hatch Farms, and HainauIt Farm. Ifplanning appncations are granted and demand for aggregates continues to these areas would be under extraction . for protracted periods of time, measured in decades rather than months or years.

Para 2.58 et al: These paragraphs catalogue mineral extraction in Redbddge over 51 and are interesting as a piece local history.

Para 2.63: We that it is estimated that there is 1,070,000 tonnes of sand and at Aldborough and Farms (to be known as E) and a planning application is to be submitted in the Spring This would assume excavation will take place over the whole ofthe area marked in brown on Map 7. However, this does not take account a buffer between excavations and building of St. Churct and the residential properties in Peter's Close and Oaks It must be born in mind that St. Church is 147 years old and a Grade II Listed Building. clost' to the building would potentially further affect water table - gravestones the churchyard have shown of subsidence over recent as the water table has been changed by sand and gravel extraction across FairloJ Plain. is now a precedent for a buffer of 150 which would reduce the area for excavation by 50%. The precedent was when the planning application was approved by LBR extraction at Aldborough Farm - a of 150 metres was established between the excavations and the house in Applegarth Drive and Bawdsey Avenue. The excavations commenced in 2003.

2.64 and 3.16: There is a suggestion that the buffer zones around previous excavations could now be It is state( that were agreed order to preserve local amenity while extraction took place". The that these areas - many ofwhich abut immediately onto the homes and gardens of residents should now be considered for excavation would be vehemently opposed by our at every level ofplanning and Submitting to dust and noise so close to their homes is totally unacceptable. For example, ifthe 150 metre zone at Aldborough Hall abutting the houses in Applegarth Drive an( Bawdsey Avenue were to be excavated, would within metres ofhouses.

Para 3.17: there is to the areas marked in on 7 - north from Road, and offHainault Road and Billet Road. It is that these areas are "unproven" as far as mineral deposits are concerned from whict we assume that no borehole has carried out. We would strongly oppose extraction on the sites north from Road - which includes the Redbridge Sport Centre, community playing fields and football pitches, allotments and community facilities, all ofwhich are used extensively throughout the It is doubtful alternatives sites could be provided these activitie~ within the Borough whilst extraction and restoration takes depriving many thousands of residents of recreational and sporting activity. We would also oppose the extraction on the allotments at Hainault Road, which onto a well-used Scout Camp and Activity Centre. Further we would oppose extraction on land around Willow these workings would be too close to the residential properties Billet Road. the would abut onto Little School in Hainault Road, which caters children with learning and special educational needs. The only access would via entrance to Willow Farm, which is on a sharp bend Billet Road, a busy road on a bus route.

We have noted from the consultation document that the Boroughs ofRed bridge and Havering are expected to meet certain targets sand gravel extraction for the side ofLondon. It is accepted the report Havering has extracted sand and over the than Redbridge. We would urge Council to the with both the Mayor ofLondon and Havering it should be admitted has provided more than fair share ofmisery over years to those who had thought they were edge ofLondon's Green and not a sand and gravel quarry! • The above was approved by the Aldborough Hatch Defence Association Committee and representatives of Barkingside 21 on Friday 9th July 2010

Ron Jeffries