Launders Lane Residents Instruct Solicitors to Explore Legal Action Over Ongoing Smoke and Fires.
Residents campaigning over the long-running smoke and fumes affecting communities around Launders Lane have taken the next step by instructing national law firm Irwin Mitchell to explore potential legal action.
Campaign organiser Catherine has confirmed that she and fellow resident Shaun will act as the named clients on behalf of local residents while the firm carries out its initial conflict and client due diligence checks.
Once those checks are complete, Irwin Mitchell will undertake a full legal review of the issues surrounding Arnold’s Field at Launders Lane to determine what legal options, if any, may be available.
The firm has been instructed to prepare an advice note examining potential legal routes relating to the ongoing smoke and fumes that residents say have resulted from fires at the site. According to Catherine, the primary aim is to identify legal options that could help bring an end to the fires and ensure the land is properly remediated.
As part of its review, the advice note is expected to consider a number of potential legal avenues, including:
- Statutory nuisance
- Private nuisance
- Claims under the Human Rights Act
The review will also consider whether a group legal claim may be appropriate, identify potential defendants if applicable, and provide advice on how any claim could be structured, together with the likely costs involved.
Catherine said that once the advice note has been received, residents will be updated on its findings and informed of any estimated legal costs should they decide to pursue further action.
She also explained that if legal proceedings are recommended, the community will need to consider how any action could be funded.
Residents have explored a number of legal options in recent months, including seeking solicitors willing to act on a pro bono basis. While those efforts have so far been unsuccessful, Catherine remains hopeful that once Irwin Mitchell has completed its assessment, another legal firm may be willing to become involved on a pro bono or reduced-cost basis.
The legal review represents the latest step in residents’ ongoing campaign to seek a long-term solution to the recurring fires and smoke affecting communities around Launders Lane.
The Havering Daily will continue to report on developments as the legal review progresses.
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