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Council Emergency No: 01708 433999
Patrol No: 01708 433224
Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity you may see at Maylands. We thank you for your continued support.
Maylands Green Belt Action Group
Latest news
Feb 28th, 2003
WE URGE ALL CONCERNED RESIDENTS TO WRITE, AND OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING PLANNING APPLICATION:
P0240.03 LAND REAR OF MAYLANDS WAY, HAROLD PARK, ROMFORD: Steel framed agricultural building for housing livestock & 2 stable blocks for stabling 24 horses
THIS PROPOSAL HAS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE, AND SECURITY OF ALL GREEN BELT SITES. If you wish to save Maylands Fields, then please write to:
Michael Day, Head of Regulatory Services, London Borough of Havering, Mercury House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, Essex, RM1 3RX. ( Please Note: Objections must arrive no later than 7th March 2003 ).
Any further development and destruction to Maylands Fields would be contrary to numerous policies outlined in the Councils Unitary Development Plan. You may wish to express the following concerns:
1) Conversion from a semi natural / non cultivated state for agricultural use is inappropriate use of the Green Belt - when other sites are clearly surplus to requirements.
2) Clearance of the site has already caused considerable damage. Further development for agricultural uses will further damage the physical, natural, ecological and amenity values of the land, and is therefore at odds with council policy.
3) Residents can prove unhindered access to Maylands for more than 20 years. The fencing, clearing and development of the site are clearly at odds with council policy of seeking to retain open spaces.
4) The clearance and development would be contrary to the councils policy of protecting trees and woodland of amenity & wildlife value. The proposal is contrary to the policy of protecting Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.
5) Further development will increase the risk of flooding. This will impact upon properties and land both upstream and downstream of the site.
6) Increased traffic would be detrimental to the health & safety of road users. Access via the unauthorised car wash would further impair highway safety. If permitted, the development would also require sufficient off-street parking for users & visitors, plus hardstandings. This is incompatible with council policy as it represents development of the Green Belt.
7) Further development will only increase the already unacceptable levels of pollution and noise suffered by residents.
8) The operation of the unauthorised car wash should be resolved before this application is even considered.
9) No Environmental Impact Assessment has been sought ( as required by DEFRA ). Previous tree fellings are subject to a current investigation, and possible prosecution ( under the Forestry Act 1999 ). The land owner should have the support of both DEFRA and the Forestry Commission before the application is considered.
10) The planning application makes no provision for the disposal of sewage, or the storage / disposal of trade refuse.
11) Planning consent would contradict the Councils Corporate Environmental Policy, & commitment to Local Agenda 21.
12) The development would also be at odds with numerous council commitments to 'green strategies', such as the Green Grid, Green Gateway and Ingrebourne Valley Project. The application may jeopardise the credibility and future of all these strategies.
13) The application should be refused to set a clear precedent, and ease pressure on other Green Belt sites
14) Please list any other points / objections you consider to be important.
PLEASE WRITE AND REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS PLANNING APPLICATION. YOUR LETTER MUST ARRIVE BY 7TH MARCH 2003.
NOTE: We also urge residents to remain vigilant over Easter. If you see any suspicious activity then please phone the following numbers: Council Emergency No: 01708 433999 Patrol No: 01708 433224
Many thanks to all those who attended the last residents meeting. It is now very important we follow this with a conserted letter writing campaign. We need to demand action from the following people:
MARGARET BECKETT : SECT OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON, SW1A OAA
Request she urgently investigates whether all correct procedures were followed.
Ask why no Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken ( as required by DEFRA Regulations).
Ask that she offers full, and vocal support to John Baron, MPs Green Belt Protection Bill.
Request she seeks environmental restitution for all damage to Maylands
Ask that she supports our claim for a Compulsory Purchase Order to prevent further damage, & safeguard the sites future.
KEN LIVINGSTONE : MAYOR OF LONDON, CITY HALL, THE QUEENS WALK, LONDON, SE1 2AA.
Demand a greater pledge to protect Green Belt Sites
Ask that he puts pressure on Havering Council to enforce the Tree Preservation Order & DEFRA Regulations.
Demand he investigates why no Environmental Impact Assessment was made ( as required by DEFRA Regulations).
Request he seeks environmental restitution for all damage to Maylands.
Request he supports a Compulsory Purchase Order of the site.
Request his support for a Community Wildlife / Conservation Area.
DEFRA : ALEX BOWHILL, EIA UNIT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICE, COLEY PARK, READING, RG1 6DT.
Request they investigate Havering Councils handling of Maylands Field
Ask why no Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken ( as required by DEFRA regulations).
Ask what DEFRA are doing to safeguard wildlife habitats.
Request they seek environmental restitution for all damage to Maylands.
Request DEFRA prevent re-seeding to protect the sites current plant & insect ecology.
Ask what actions DEFRA will take to prevent intensive farming / retailing on Maylands.
PATRICK KEYES : PLANNING CONTROL MANAGER, HAVERING COUNCIL, MERCURY HOUSE, ROMFORD, ESSEX, RM1 3SL.
Demand that the Tree Preservation Order is actively enforced.
Demand that the T.P.O be urgently re-instated ( see leaflet circulated to homes for further guidance ).
Ask when residents will have access to the tree survey / Forestry Commission report.
Ask why debris remains in Court / Mount Avenue ( this is a fire hazard! ).
Demand that the illegal fence be removed from ĪTransport For Londonā property.
Ask why no action has been taken against the illegal car wash, hoarding, fast food outlet and residential portakabins.
Ask why Directive Article 4 / 5 ( Town & Country Planning Act ) has still not been served to prevent sub-division.
Ask why no Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken ( as required by DEFRA Regulations).
Demand action to prevent intensive farming / retailing on Maylands.
Demand that legitimate footpaths are re-instated and actively enforced ( by stopping inappropriate cattle grazing).
ENGLISH NATURE : PETER MASSINI, DEVON HOUSE, 12-15 DARTMOUTH ST, QUEEN ANNEāS GATE, LONDON, SW1H 9BL
Ask that English Nature support our claim for a Community Wildlife / Conservation Area.
Can they help our claims to have Maylands listed as a Village Green or Common Ground.
Request they support a Compulsory Purchase Order of the siteö to prevent further damage & safeguard the sites future.
THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY : DAVID WARDLE, APPOLLO COURT, 2 BISHOPS SQUARE, HATFIELD BUSINESS PARK, ST ALBANS ROAD WEST, HATFIELD, HERTS, AL10 9PW.
Ask why no Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken ( as required by DEFRA regulations)
Ask what they are doing to safeguard wildlife habitats
Request they prevent re-seeding to protect the sites current plant & insect ecology
What actions will they take to prevent intensive farming / retailing on Maylands
Will they re-instate legitimate footpaths and actively enforce this right ( by stopping inappropriate cattle grazing )
Are they monitoring levels of river pollution as a result of contamination from the illegal car wash
Request they support a Compulsory Purchase Order ö to prevent further damage & safeguard the sites future
Will they support our claims to have Maylands listed as a Village Green, Common Ground or Community Conservation Area
It is important we all write to the above people, and demand action. Please print off copies and forward these to your friends and neighbours.
Feb 2nd, 2003
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The Green Euro MP, Jean Lambert, and her visit to
Maylands earlier this month.
Photgraphs of the destruction of Maylands can be found down the right hand side of this page. |
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| Photos from the 10th Jan, by the river |
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