The Environment Agency has said it's likely to issue a permit for landfilling to begin at Oxted Sandpit in Barrow Green Road just along from the Chalkpit Lane horror. That would mean even more HGVs on the roads. A final decision is expected soon.
Appalled residents marched in protest against the massive amount of landfilling in Oxted. They and their neighbour, Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, have threatened legal action if the permit is issued. Lawyers for Mr & Mrs Al Fayed and the residents' group have written to the Agency saying a decision to issue a permit would be "perverse" and "susceptible to successful legal challenge"
The Agency has said that in making its decision it only has to consider what happens within the Sandpit not what happens outside. However, East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has established that this is not correct. He has tabled a Parliamentary Question to establish the Agency's remit and the reply he has received states:
"The Environment Agency has a duty to take action to reduce any negative impacts that are a direct result of a permitted activity. The Environment Agency's criteria apply both inside and outside the site"
As a result, he has written to the Agency official responsible for the Sandpit and to the Agency's Chairman reminding them of their duty to take account of the bigger picture and, in particular, of the intolerable number of HGVs that will result from granting the permit.
