Applications were made by one of the businesses, S Walsh and Son,located on Horn Lane for a "physical treatment facility".
There were strong objections made by the local community and others for various reasons but the objections for harm because of dust and noise were the ones that won.
Environment Agency summarised their decision as follows:
"We have decided to refuse the Bespoke Permit A16 – Non-hazardous waste physical treatment facility application for the proposed facility at Horn Lane Goods Yard, Horn Lane, Acton, London applied for by S.Walsh & Son Limited (the Applicant).
The Application is refused as based on the information that has been provided we are not satisfied that the activities can be undertaken without an unacceptable risk of significant pollution of the environment and harm to human health due to dust and noise. The proposed measures to reduce fugitive emissions of Particulate Matter are not satisfactory for a site in an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). In addition the proposed measures to reduce noise emissions are also not satisfactory for a site in such close proximity to sensitive receptors.
This is in accordance with paragraph 7.7 of the Environmental Permitting Guidance core guidance for the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (last revised March 2013) (the Core Guidance) which states “The regulator may also decide to refuse an application in certain circumstances” where “the environmental impact would be unacceptable. For instance, an operator might propose siting a new facility close to an extremely sensitive environment, but with no means of providing adequate control”."
The applicant can appeal both decisions to the Planning Inspectorate.
A total of 358 responses were received, of which 2 responses were made by Non Governmental Organisations (Great Western Allotment Association and West Acton Residents Association). 3 responses were from public bodies (Ealing Council, Public Health England and the Greater London Authority) and they received a response from the local Member of Parliament, Rupa Huq.
More details are at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/w3-0jn-s-walsh-son-limited-environmental-permit-refused