Harlesden residents got a shock last night at the Harlesden Connects forum when they heard of plans to build an 'energy recovery centre' (is this a controversy avoiding term for an incinerator?) at Willesden Junction. It is in Ealing borough but but very close to Brent residents Apparently Ealing's notification to Brent Council was 'mislaid' so hardly anyone who might be affected had a chance to comment before the conusltation closed last week. Addresses in Ealing and handful of streets in Harlesden received a notification letter in which the development is described thus:
NOTIFICATION
OF A PLANNING APPLICATION
Ealing
Council has received an application under the Town and Country Planning act
1990 (as amended) which may affect you. I am writing to inform you and invite
you to comment on it. If you do not own the property this letter is addressed to
please pass it to, the owner and/or anybody else you think will be interested.
One resident commented:Location: ENERGY RECOVERY CENTRE CHANNEL GATE ROAD, PARK ROYAL, NW10 6UQThe proposal: Construction of an energy recovery centre comprising a single purpose designed building to provide an advanced conversion technology facility and an anaerobic digestion facility with an integrated education/visitors centre, and four 25-metre high flues; four external anaerobic digestion/digestate tanks; associated access, parking and landscaping; gas holder tank; emergency gas flare; electrical substation; two weigh bridges; wheel washing apparatus and a security house buildingFurther information:You may see further details of the application, case officer, plans and other documents on the council’s website at http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet (please note that access is unavailable daily from 11:30pm – 1:00am); or by visiting: Customer Reception, Ealing Council, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Rd, Ealing W5 2HLA location map can be found on the council website click on ‘contact us’ then ‘how to find us’. You are welcome to visit between 9.00am to 4.45 p.m. (the office closes at 5.00pm) Monday to Friday.
I am reminded of the change to Crossrail construction (a H&F decision?) when the canal-transportation of concrete sections was ditched in favour of road. Now Brent residents suffer as every concrete section gets a tour of Harlesden shops and shoppers before being buried forever at Paddington!Possibly the most informative document for anyone interested in their new neighbour is this one LINK I have just tried for 30 minutes to get through to a real person in Ealing Council to ask them about the consultation details and closing date. I have been driven mad by the automated telephone system and its many options, none of which include human contact! I have given up in disgust. This is the e-mail address of Peter Lee the planning officer handling the case: LeeP@ealing.gov.uk
Clearly the first thing to say to him is: Please suspend the application until Brent residents have been consulted.
