Horn Lane Cement Plant Gets Council Approval

Despite fierce local opposition

Ealing council has narrowly approved retrospective planning permission for a controversial cement works on Horn Lane.

Despite fierce opposition and a lengthy debate at the committee meeting last night, Councillors voted to approve Hanson's application.

Councillor Will Brooks tweeted: '' Passionate speeches from residents and cllrs regarding Hanson Concrete site in Horn Lane #acton raising pollution concerns''

'' After a long debate of over 1h10mins the Hanson Concrete app is passed by cttee by 7 votes to 6. I voted against on pollution grounds.''

There has been a plant on the site for over fifty years but it was replaced by the company in 2011 - without planning permission. Last night the company went through official channels and were given the rubber stamp.

Locals believe the cement works contribute to the high degree of pollution in the area and are angry that it has been allowed to be sited so close to a residential area.

They have been campaigning for a number of years about their environmental concerns under the banner SHLAP, or Stop Horn Lane Air Pollution, and have had the backing of local MP, Angie Bray, who has raised the issue in parliament a number of times.

Last night's decision will be a blow to protestors.

Rosco White from SHLAP says:

''Clearly, there are individuals on the Ealing Planning Committee who are quite gullible, and no match at all for Big Business, who they underestimate and think they can control by attaching "Conditions" when Granting Planning Applications. 

''With LB Ealing's woeful track record on any sort of Planning Enforcement I find this approach naive and astounding. Not to mention that the best opportunity for the northern end of Horn Lane to be revitalised, because of Acton Main Line Crossrail, is now lost, and the area blighted for 40+ years by a massive Concrete Plant bang in the middle."

The cement plant was approved 7 to 6, the extra conditions being imposed were for wheel washing, covered vehicles & extra landscaping.

13th March 2014