'Dilemma' over golf case (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

'Dilemma' over golf case

2:47pm Friday 19th May 2006 in Search By David Jackman

A DECISION is still to be made over whether the developers behind a golf course in Theydon Bois will be prosecuted by the Environment Agency over material which have been taken onto the site.

Environment Agency chairman Sir John Harman visited the Coopersale Lane site last Wednesday following an invitation from Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

She said investigations were continuing into what exactly had been taken to the site, but admitted the authorities were facing a "dilemma" over what action to take.

Sir John said: "This is my first visit to Blunts Farm but I know the team are working hard to ensure the situation is resolved quickly, effectively and with the environment and local people at the forefront of our concerns."

A fine could result in an £8,000 penalty while an order for the material to be removed would mean hundreds more lorry movements through Theydon Bois and Abridge.

Sir John and his officials met parish council chairman John Eaton, former district councillor Robert Glozier, district councillor Kay Rush and action group representative Mike Emmett.

Mrs Laing said: "The Environment Agency has already suspended the exemption granted to the developer of Blunt Farm in respect of landfill being brought on to the site because the developer has clearly exceeded the amount of landfill which would have been necessary to construct a golf course."

She added: "There is a bit of a dilemma over this situation. The Environment Agency has the power to prosecute the developers if it has evidence that the site is being used illegally as a landfill site.

"However if the developer was found guilty it would be fined in the region of £8,000 which is not a deterrent for a company that may possibly have made hundreds of thousands of pounds from bringing landfill onto the site.

"The Environment Agency also has the power to order the removal of the landfill material from the site but of course that would mean running hundreds of heavy lorries through Theydon Bois and Abridge again which is the last thing the local people want."

An appeal is still to be heard against an enforcement notice issued by Epping Forest District Council.

Mrs Laing said: "I'm still pursuing matters with the Health and Safety Executive because I continue to be very concerned that children could easily stray on to the site and there's an obvious and serious danger given the enormous depth of the large pit dug in the middle of the site.

"I feel we've made some progress and I'm pleased Sir John Harman agrees this is not a matter that can just be left."