MAYOR OF LONDONCLEANERAIRFOR LONDONAngie Bray MP Date: 30th May 2014House of CommonsLondon SW1 A OMDear AngieJoint working to improve air quality at Horn LaneAs you have consistently stressed since your election in 2010, air quality at Horn Lane has been asignificant issue affecting the health and quality of life of your constituents for a number of years.Whilst the levels of PM10 have fallen at the site since 2005, air quality in the local area is not yet at anacceptable standard and, as you have championed, further progress must be made locally.I am very grateful for all the work that you have done to ensure that this issue is addressed, includingthe two Westminster Hall debates that you have held in Parliament. Here at City Hall we are keen tocontinue working with you to deliver further improvements in air quality at Horn Lane. We havedesigned the London Plan so it facilitates the best environmental standards and gives appropriateflexibility to local authorities to take into account the concerns of local residents and tackle sites ofconcern such as Horn LaneIn terms of further action, I have recently written to the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency toensure that they are doing all they can to improve air quality at this site. Subsequently theEnvironment Agency has varied the environmental permit provided to Gowing & Pursey, one of thesite operators at Horn Lane. This variation has further reduced the amount of waste the site canaccept each year down to just 17,000 tonnes per annum and introduced a maximum amount of wasteon site at any one time to just 75 tonnes. This is a significant step in the right direction and I welcomethe Agency’s decision.However, it is time to consider the long-term future of Horn Lane. I understand that Gowing & Purseyis now in the process of moving premises. This provides a unique opportunity to consider whether thecurrent designated use of this land remains appropriate in the context of the new Crossrail station andother industrial land in the vicinity of the site at Park Royal. I would welcome your views on this.Yours sincerely,Sir Edward ListerChief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Policycc. Matthew Pencharz, Senior Adviser, Environment and EnergyCity Hall, London, SE1 2AA • mayor@london.qov.uk • Iondon.gov.uk •020 7983 4000
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