‘If the Council do not accept they have got it wrong over the contaminated land issue at Launders Lane, then we are going to court.’

Emily Nicholson is a partner at Mischon de Reya and is the lawyer who is gearing herself up to take Havering Council to court over the issue of contaminated land at Launders Lane, Rainham.

A group of mums dedicated to making sure every resident has the right to clean air, have formed a group ‘Clean Air For Havering’ that enlisted lawyers to help after they were appalled that Havering Council chose to identify the land at the toxic landfill site on Launders Lane in Rainham, as ‘not contaminated land’.

“We don’t think they have grappled with the information properly. One of the reasons they said the land was not contaminated was that no one accesses the site, we know that is incorrect.

“They have also relied on annualised figures, where as Launder Lane has spikes that have clearly not been picked up. The council need to use hourly data and they clearly haven’t, Emily tells the Havering Daily.

“We believe the asbestos issue has not been investigated properly either. We have been told that it is underground so is not an issue. But again, when the fire burns, that is making an impact on the ground.

“Residents have been told that there is no issue to local water, but its not been tested so how do they know that?”

A letter was issued to the council by Emily on by half of the Clear The Air Havering campaigners that formally sets out all their arguments.

“Our great hope is that Havering council agrees to go over all the information and look carefully at what is there. We need for them to accept that they have made the wrong decision over the land, and then we can avoid any further action. If not, we are going to court,” continues Emily.

“We have requested many documents, put in reasonable requests and got nothing back from the council. Now we have to send Freedom of Information requests.

“This is a very important decision. If the land is legally called contaminated, then the council are obliged and have a legal duty to do something to support its residents. So far it has been a case of buck passing,” finishes Emily.

Launders Lane is a real issue for Rainham residents and all residents across the borough who have watched this area burn for nearly twenty years. Now, local residents have had enough and are prepared to take this legal action to have the right to clean air.

As we write this article, Launders lane, was still burning into the night after another day where multiple fire engines were once again at the site and residents living nearby had to close windows as they struggled with the smoke.

The scene on Thursday 19 October.

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