OPPONENTS of Barnet council’s plans for a depot in New Southgate have vowed to fight it “as much as we can”.

The full planning application for the proposed site – the Abbots Depot on Oakleigh Road South – will be discussed by the council’s planning committee tomorrow (October 1).

More than 1,000 people living nearby have signed an online petition calling for a halt to the depot plans so far, and the Residents Against Abbots Depot (RAAD) campaign group says it has collected another 500 signatures on paper.

RAAD campaigner Stamo Ampatielou said: “We will be making representations. We will fight it as much as we can. The council is ignoring us, but we are dedicated.”

In a statement, RAAD said: “In an application claiming that it will enhance the quality of life of the local residents but lacking vital evidence, information and planning on how it will do so, London Borough of Barnet has received over 700 objections throughout the consultation period.

“The proposal includes the processing of dry recyclables, food and clinical waste, MOT facilities and service and cleaning of all council vehicles.

“If the proposal goes through the council is ensuring that the noise and traffic will increase in our area, vermin will have a party on lorries that are washed twice a month and the air pollution will increase.”

Barnet council also plans to buy the lease on the adjoining Winters Haulage site, which it says will ease traffic problems by cutting the number of truck journeys.

The depot will also not process any black bag rubbish, or store any food waste or recyclable materials overnight, the authority has said.

Last week, Conservative deputy leader of Barnet council Councillor Dan Thomas said: “We need a new base for our collection vehicles and bulking operations and this site came out as the best option based on operational, financial, planning and risk factors.

“As part of our commitment to recycling more, this depot will be a vital site in helping us make sure our materials are properly collected and transported for appropriate sorting and treatment.

“We have listened to residents’ concerns about the proposed depot and we have purchased the lease for the Winters site which will help to tackle congestion issues in the local area.”

The planning application will be discussed in Hendon Town Hall tomorrow night.