Residents want rubble removed

1:32am Saturday 24th January 2004

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding the council forcibly remove tons of rubble dumped on a Chingford golf course.

It has been revealed that only 40 to 50 metres of rubble contaminated with dangerous asbestos will be removed from Chingford Golf Range, in Waltham Way, this month.

But nearby residents are calling on the authority to remove the remaining horseshoe shaped mounds to return the damaged Green Belt site to its original look.

Campaigner Carole Feeney, of Low Hall Close, has been in constant correspondence with the council's community protection services since the rubble was dumped on the site in August.

Golf range owner Gordon Goldie, who leases the site from the council, breached planning laws in September by dumping tons of rubble on to the protected Green Belt site.

Mrs Feeney said: "If any amount of this disgraceful rubble is allowed to remain on the range, overshadowing the lives of locals and endangering their health, it will be a lasting monument to the inefficiency of this council.

"They could have served a stop notice on the tenant forcing work to cease, at minimal cost, as soon as they were alerted to the situation. They chose not to and are simply trying to excuse their own incompetence by fudging the issue after the event."

The council has agreed with Mr Goldie that all soil containing asbestos will be removed this month.

A spokeswoman recently said: "The council regrets the inconvenience caused to local people and is taking measures to protect public health.

"The council took action after being notified that soil was being taken to the site. Officers halted any further work until a decision was made on whether or not to grant planning permission.

"Realistically, taking enforcement action can be costly and is unlikely to resolve issues quickly or satisfactorily."

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