Draft petition on calling for NO2 monitoring to stop Tesco Toxic Towers

Following Cllr Athwal's refusal to honour Redbridge Council's decision to carry out NO2 monitoring at local schools I have prepared a draft petition. Is is long, but not sure how to make it shorter rather leaving out key information. Will publish final version after midday this coming Monday. Draft follows

We the undersigned who live or work in Redbridge note the following chronology of NO2 monitoring for the Tesco Toxic Towers application in Goodmayes:

1) That a Redbrdge Plannng officer email of 17^th February “additional” NO2 monitoring around Chadwell Primary school is promised as preparation for the Goodmayes Tesco development of 1300 homes, which are mainly in high rise blocks per the extract below in itallics.

Given that the modelled level of PM10 is significantly below the target limit value there is no need for additional monitoring to be undertaken prior to application determination. 

 This is not the case with Nitrogen Dioxide (NO²) chremissions and we have asked for additional monitoring to be undertaken to determine the existing levels around the proposed development area which includes the area around Chadwell Primary school.

2) Then Redbridge Council position changes on 10^th March to exclude Chadwell Primary & instead substitutes 3 closer schools and a nursery per the extract below in italics.

 "We did not require the developer to monitor for NO2 concentrations outside Chadwell Heath primary school as it is not in close enough proximity to the development area, however monitoring was undertaken around the following schools which are within 350 meters of the development site:

• Barley Lane Primary School
• Barely Lane Montessori Day Nursery
• Goodmayes Primary School
• Mayfield School

3) However, by 28^th April the position of Redbridge Council changes again to say, contrary to their email of 10^th March, that no NO2 monitoring had taken place, per the extract from Cllr Athwal's statement at Redbridge Council cabinet

"The email of 10th of March 2020 to Mr Walker does highlight that monitoring will be undertaken at the four schools identified however based upon further analysis this was not considered ultimately necessary under the relevant regulations because the levels of no2 was so low Mr Walker it did not warrant any further investigation and certainly the air quality monitoring report extended to the boundary of the site and confirm the no2 levels across the site these are considered sufficient to indicate ambient air quality in the vicinity of the site which would also include the schools identified as generally within 350 m of the site offers officers will be writing to you Mr walker to clarify at the monitoring regime" ends

further notes

Goverment air quality index for N02 per the photo above with the UK government stating “Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion...” as a precaution when NO2 levels go above level 7.

The most recent published Redbridge Council Chadwell Primary School permanent NO2 pollution monitor had readings of 62.9 for February 2018 and an 9 month average of 48.7. As these are monthly readings it is reasonable to assume rush hour readings will be even higher.

And asks Redbridge Council to 

1) Carry out the NO2 monitoring at the schools listed in the 10th March email above.

2) Conduct further monitoring at Chadwell and Eastcourt schools

3) That this school monitoring takes place when the coronvirus crisis is over to provide accurate readings so delaying the planning hearing for the Tesco application until 2021