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Arents campaigning against a proposed new delivery center for Ocado near a primary school have claimed a major victory after the local council handed down a key ruling against plans for the site.
Islington Council said it had revoked the “legal development certificate” for the Bush Industrial Estate depot, which Ocado hoped to use for its new same-day delivery service for Marks & Spencer. The scheme infuriated parents at nearby Yerbury Primary School in Tufnell Park, who claimed traffic and fumes from vans and diesel pumps posed a health threat to 450 children.
Following a legal challenge to the so-called ‘NOcado’ campaign, the local authority’s legal team wrote to the owners of the site, property giant Telereal Trillium, informing them that some of the information submitted with the application regarding the use the site’s past land “was wrong”.
The decision was welcomed by parents and staff, who called on Ocado to halt the plans and apologize to the school.
A statement on NOcado’s website said: ‘The revocation is a hugely important step in the campaign to stop Ocado from opening the damaging 24/7 depot next to the school, but there is little this is likely to be the end. Ocado can take the council to the High Court to try to overturn the decision or they can file a new planning application, or both.
Manager Cassie Moss said: ‘While the council’s call to revoke Ocado’s license is due to the withholding of important information, the site being just three meters from the 450 children’s play area of the primary school and kindergarten, it should never be acceptable to put expansion ahead of community health.
Andrew Grieve, air pollution scientist at Imperial College London and a parent at the school, said: “We have known for some years now that air and noise pollution can harm development. physical and mental children. If the mayor’s green design policies and Islington’s own development guidelines mean anything, this development must be denied to protect children and residents. Ocado can find another site. The children cannot find another school.
An Ocado spokesperson said: “Ocado is committed to being the best possible occupier of the Tufnell Park site. The area is currently designated as an industrial site of local importance; our plans ensure this will be one of the greenest and quietest grocery stores in the UK, but we will continue to listen and address any concerns.
“We are disappointed by the decision of the town hall to revoke the certificate of legality of the site and we are studying all options with the owner.”
