Plans for a cement batching plant close to a primary school, a children’s playground and a nature reserve will be determined by a committee after a councillor called in the application.
Conservative councillor Abdul Latif objected to plans for the plant in Waterside Way, Tooting – next to Wandle Meadow Nature Park and Garfield Primary School – and has asked the council to review the application.
Merton Council’s planning committee will decide on the batching plant on Thursday, April 20. Officers have recommended that committee members approve the application, despite objections from residents.
The “number of objections received” and “the request of Councillor Latif” led to the application being bought before the committee, planning officers confirmed.
Cllr Abdul Latif, a councillor of Trinity ward, which borders Waterside Way, told the Wimbledon Guardian: “Some residents are concerned about the impact of the plan on the community.
“They’re concerned about the increase in traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles, environmental noise, air pollution, diesel fumes.”
He added: “The area’s even getting a new football stadium (Plough Lane) nearby, so there will be a cumulative effect on the primary school and children who use the playground.”
The chair of governors at Garfield Primary School (pictured above), Rob Dickinson, wrote: “I am extremely concerned by the risk posed by this development in terms of air pollution in the area with potential harmful effects for the health of pupils and staff at our school, as well as by other possible adverse effects for the area in terms of increased traffic and damage to the local environment.”
A resident of nearby Kohat Road – who did not want to be named – wrote: “The cement dust released from this process is highly dangerous and coupled with the already very high air pollution in this area is unacceptable as it puts our children’s health at high risk.
“To put such a cement factory right next to the Wandle path and near the wildlife park makes a mockery of the whole concept of a ‘nature’ walk.”
To view the application, search Merton Council’s planning portal for 17/P0438
Got a story relating to Merton? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk
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