Last time we sent a general email update the LLDC had just recommended that the applications for the Concrete & Asphalt Plants in Bow Yard be withdrawn. We noticed with some concern that they hadn't been removed despite the recommendation of the officers. This week we’ve been notified that the applications will be considered again and will go to committee for review sometime in September, despite the LLDC officers’ standing recommendation that the applicants withdraw them. Has anything changed that could explain the change of heart? Was there any dramatic change that affects the applicants plans? Two important things have occurred since we last updated you: The first, is that the applicants have made a vague and opaque proposal suggesting they are willing to reduce production in the planned factories. They haven’t submitted (as far as we know) any material discussion points, documents, plans or EIAs that address any of the issues pointed out by ourselves or the planning officers, namely: HGV emissions and congestion, air quality, noise, and visual impact. The second is that the LLDC was recently appointed a new Chairman: Peter Hendy. Mr. Hendy has formerly served as Commissioner of Transport for London and is currently serving as Chairman of Network Rail. For those of you who don’t know, Network Rail, is the main driving force behind Concrete & Asphalt Planning Applications and for cause: Network Rail owns about 6.2 Hectares (approx. 8 football pitches!) of land that is under direct LLDC planning jurisdiction. You don’t need a Legal degree to spot the enormous conflict of interest potentially facing Mr. Hendy: as Chairman of Network Rail he is responsible for generating profits from leases granted to developments on its land. As Chairman of the LLDC, he will now be ultimately responsible for overseeing the process that grants the permissions for such developments. As the saying goes, Mr. Hendy will be in effect "Judge, Jury and Executioner". This is an utterly unacceptable situation from a governance stand point, and we are horrified that this appointment was made by Mayor Khan without clearing this problem first. We call on Mr. Andrew Boff, Chairman of the Confirmation Committee to ensure that this grave potential conflict of interests is addressed tomorrow morning, July 17th during Mr. Hendy’s Confirmation Hearing at City Hall. We call on Mr. Hendy to publicly declare that he is resigning immediately from all present responsibilities at Network Rail and that he shall recuse himself officially (as the new LLDC Chairman) from any future business dealings with Network Rail. More to come, OPCRD Links: https://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/mgAi.aspx?ID=24945 http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/news/news-articles/2017/06/mayor-to-appoint-sir-peter-hendy-as-new-chair-of-the-london-legacy-development-corporation http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/olympic-success-earns-tfl-chief-sir-peter-hendy-650000-as-bonuses-are-paid-8674433.html