A POLITICIAN has hit out over plans to build Europe's biggest waste plant on the edge of the borough.

London Assembly member Darren Johnson visited the site of the proposed Pinkham Way development yesterday and met with concerned residents from the area.

Developers want to build a £100 million new waste disposal plant on on the edge of the North Circular Road in Muswell Hill, but the plans have been met with large protests at council meetings.

Mr Johnson, who represents Lewisham on the Assembly, said: “With over a thousand vehicle movements a day, the proposed waste plant at Pinkham Way would make air pollution in the area even worse and affect the health of local residents and local schoolchildren.

“The roads are already some of the most congested in London and residents are right to be concerned about more lorries belching out more fumes.

“Even without any further traffic increases, a local air quality monitoring station has already recorded 20 bad air days this year and could exceed the legal annual limit of 35 bad air days.”

The Green Party member added that he thought the North London Waste Authority – that is planning the development – should focus on recycling rather than a new plant for black bin waste.

The authority estimates around 560 trucks will go in and out of the plant each working day, predominantly using the A406, Orion Road and Pegasus Way for access.

After the idea was given the green light by councillors in Barnet in April, a planning application is due to go before Haringey Council this month.