A PLANNING Inspectorate decision to close down an illegal car wash on a Havering Green Belt site is a victory for the local community, London's Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert said today.
Inspectors described development plans for Maylands Fields and a car wash erected on adjoining land without planning permission as "unlawful development. in significant breach of green belt policy" and ordered the landowner to cease trading and clean up the site.
Mrs Lambert, who visited the site and met local campaigners before bringing the development to the attention of senior government officials, said she was delighted by the decision.
"This is a victory for common sense, the people of Havering and the future of the Green Belt," she said.
"This ruling clearly establishes the principle that, where the Green belt is concerned, no creeping development will be tolerated. This message will be heard loud and clear wherever the Green Belt is under threat and will prevent other communities suffering at the hands of speculative development in the way Havering has done."
ENDS
For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973
823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk