Greenbelt Problems
An unwelcome neighbour
This photograph was sent in by a visitor who took this snap from inside Bayhurst Wood looking towards New Year’s Green Lane.
She was amazed to find that within 50 yards of Bayhurst Wood’s boundary the top of a rubbish dump has suddenly become visible. Just to remind you, Bayhurst Wood is part of Ruislip Woods, which just happens to be London’s first National Nature Reserve
On closer inspection it becomes clear that the dump starts much lower down in a hollow and has been growing un-noticed for some time. The smell is extremely unpleasant but currently masked by cold weather except when deliberate burning of waste causes smoke to drift across the woods . The dump has all forms of rubbish in it and a local environmental health officer estimated its size at 35,000 tons and growing daily.
It is baffling to understand why the London Borough of Hillingdon has allowed this operation to continue so close to the National Nature Reserve. A protocol exists whereby the London Borough of Hillingdon should advise both English Nature and the Ruislip Woods Management Advisory Group of all applications related to the land bordering Ruislip Woods so that appropriate technical advice may be given. No such notification has been received.
If, like those of us who love the tranquility and beauty of Ruislip Woods, you are appalled by this development please go and view it yourself and then TAKE ACTION. Write to, telephone or e-mail the following:
Ms Philomena Bach, Environmental Services Directorate, London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW. Tel: 01895 250111 pbach@hillingdon.gov.uk
OR
Environment Agency, Apollo Court, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9EX Tel: 01707 632300 E-mail: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
or contact your local Hillingdon councillors who should be shocked by this dumping.