The following is the text of a News Release I sent to national and local newspapers, TV and Radio yesterday. So far no takers! But the ILFORD RECORDER will cover.
If you are free on Thursday evening at 6.45pm please join us at Ilford Town Hall for the Planning Committee when there will be fireworks! It is the culmination of ten years of fighting.
Aldborough Hatch Defence Association
News Release
Release Immediate Monday 26th June 2017
Cover-up by Redbridge Council to mislead Planning Committee Councillors of cancer health hazards of mineral workings near pre-school day nursery and homes
A 76-page document produced by Redbridge Council Officers for Councillor members of the Planning Committee totally ignores objections to a planning application submitted by a qualified NHS consultant and a clinical scientist who works in cancer research of the risk of an increase in deaths from lung cancer.
Planning application 2089/16 to extract sand and gravel from Aldborough Hatch and Hainault Farms in the London Borough of Redbridge will be considered by the Planning Committee on Thursday next, 29th June, at Ilford Town Hall at 7.15pm.
On 7th June 2016, Dr Anup Vinayan and Dr Archana Ambily submitted their objections as attached. They state that: “Health Hazards associated with increase in particulate matter is well documented with the World Health Organisation detailing the risks of PM10 and PM25 resulting in aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms and increase in hospital admissions. There will also be increase in mortality from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer”.
The specialists, who are both residents living in Aldborough Hatch, the area of the London Borough of Redbridge immediately affected by the gravel workings, refer to 14 recent studies over eight European countries which demonstrate that risks are significantly associated with the incidence of lung cancer.
Said Ron Jeffries, Chairman of the Aldborough Hatch Defence Association, whose members are vehemently opposed to any further sand and gravel workings within 75 metres of their homes: “Clearly Council Officers who prepared the 76-page document for the committee’s consideration have failed to consider the objections on health grounds of two qualified specialists.
“It is a cover-up to seriously mislead Councillors. The objections on health grounds are nowhere mentioned, nor is the evidence submitted rebutted. We therefore call upon the Planning Committee to refuse the planning application on the grounds that Officers have failed to take into account the overwhelming evidence of the dangers of an increase in lung cancer and other respiratory diseases among both children and adults.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact
Ron Jeffries, Chairman. 37 Spearpoint Gardens, Aldborough Road North, Aldborough Hatch, ILFORD, Essex IG2 7SX
TEL: 020 8599 7250; Mobile: 0797488 2724; email: ronjeffries@live.co.uk
