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South London Waste Plan 2022 to 2037 Consultation

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The South London Waste Plan (adopted on 30 January 2012), set out the spatial issues and objectives to be met in waste management for the next 10 years up to this year (2022). It is a joint development plan document (DPD) and covers the geographical area in the London Borough of Croydon, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the London Borough of Merton and the London Borough of Sutton. It contains policies to:

  • guide the determination of planning applications for waste facilities
  • identify existing waste sites to be safeguarded
  • identify areas where waste facility development may be suitable

It’s also part of the development plan for Croydon’s local plan programme. It is in conformity with the policies in the Croydon Local Plan 2018 and should be read alongside it.

Revised South London Waste Plan

The London Boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton have jointly prepared a new draft South London waste plan. This sets out the partner boroughs’ long-term vision, spatial strategy and planning policies for the sustainable management of waste over the next 15 year period.

The draft South London waste plan 2020 was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination on 19 January 2021, in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Read the draft South London waste plan (Sutton council website) for details about the examination and to view the examination library.

Main Modifications

The Main Modifications consultation will run for seven weeks between Thursday 14 July 2022 and 5pm Friday 2 September 2022. The amendments are set out in a “Main Modifications Schedule.” This document, along with a Sustainability Appraisal of the Main Modifications, can be found at www.sutton.gov.uk/wasteplan or in local libraries.

Representations made should:

Clearly distinguish which modification number is being commented on.
Base comments on the Government’s test of soundness: Is the modification positively prepared? Is the modification justified (based on evidence)? Is the modification effective (deliverable)? Is the modification consistent with national planning policy?

Representations are being accepted via Sutton Council:
• By email to planningpolicy@sutton.gov.uk or
• Sending a letter to: Policy, London Borough of Sutton, Civic Centre, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA

You can view the consultation material at South London Waste Plan | Croydon Council

If you have any queries relating to the South London Waste Plan please contact the Spatial Planning service at ldf@croydon.gov.uk.

London Fire Brigade – Grass Fires in Croydon

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Firefighters have tackled two simultaneous grass fires in Croydon during today’s (19 July) record-breaking heatwave.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters dealt with a fire on Oaks Road in Croydon. One hectare of woodland was alight. The Brigade was called at 12:07 and the fire was under control by 14:21. Fire crews from Addington, Biggin Hill, Wallington, Croydon and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

Another four fire engines also dealt with a grass fire on Chapel View in South Croydon, where around one hectare of woodland and undergrowth was damaged by fire. The Brigade was called at 12:20 and the fire was under control by 14:30. Fire crews from Purley, Plumstead, Greenwich and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The London Fire Brigade is under immense pressure as they battle several various fires across the capital. They are working incredibly hard in very challenging conditions.

The London Fire Brigade are strongly urging people NOT to have barbeques or bonfires today.

  • DON’T have BBQ’s in Parks or Open Spaces.
  • DON’T leave broken bottles or glass on the ground.
  • Dispose of cigarettes safely.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The recent hot, dry weather has made the ground extremely dry, which unfortunately means grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks.

“Common causes of grass fires include carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches as well as rubbish left lying around such as glass bottles, which can start flames by magnifying the sun’s rays.

“Every one of us can help reduce the risk of fire and keep our communities clean, make sure rubbish is safely thrown away and cigarettes are always properly disposed of.

“If you see a grass fire, don’t attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning.

“If you see signs of smouldering grass then please dial 999 and let us know where the fire is.”

For more information, see the London Fire Brigade Website: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2022/july/grass-fires-croydon/

For the latest news, check out the London Fire Brigade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LondonFire

Heatwave Warning – Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July

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The Met Office has issued a red warning of extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday – the highest level – which covers an area including London, Manchester and York.

People have been asked to look out for vulnerable relatives and neighbours who may be suffering in the heat.

Met Office and Department of Health Advice:

  • Stay out of the sun.
  • Keep your home cool.
  • Think about adjusting your plans for the warning period.
  • If you do have to go out, wear a hat and sunscreen, keep in the shade as much as possible and carry water.
  • Don’t leave people or animals in hot cars and keep a particular lookout for your family and neighbours, especially vulnerable people.

Be on the Alert for signs of Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion

The signs of heat exhaustion include:

  • a headache
  • dizziness and confusion
  • loss of appetite and feeling sick
  • excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
  • cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
  • fast breathing or pulse
  • a high temperature of 38C or above
  • being very thirsty

The symptoms are often the same in adults and children, although children may become floppy and sleepy.

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down.

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:

  1. Move them to a cool place.
  2. Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
  3. Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are OK.
  4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good, too.

Stay with them until they’re better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

How you can reduce the risk of dehydration

  • Drink fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms.
  • If you find it hard to drink because you feel sick or have been sick, start with small sips and then gradually drink more.
  • You can use a spoon to make it easier for your child to swallow the fluids.
  • You should drink enough during the day so your pee is a pale clear colour.
  • Drink when there’s a higher risk of dehydrating. For example, if you’re vomiting, sweating or you have diarrhoea.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:

  • drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
  • take cool baths or showers
  • wear light-coloured, loose clothing
  • sprinkle water over skin or clothes
  • avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
  • avoid excess alcohol
  • avoid extreme exercise

This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.

Keep an eye on children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) because they’re more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Trading Standards Alert – Upfront Payment Scams

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Think Carefully before You Pay – Avoid Advance Fee Scams

Advance fee fraud is when scammers persuade victims to pay in advance or make upfront payments for goods, services and/or financial gains that do not materialise.

There are a huge variety of such scams, some common examples are:

  • Career opportunity scams happen when people respond to job adverts posted by fraudsters. They start with a consultation but then require an upfront fee. Examples are bogus publishers, model and casting agencies all promising to launch a person’s career.
  • Romance scams where fraudsters create a fake persona who builds a relationship with their victim over time. Once they are trusted they will make emotive requests for money from their victim claiming it is to pay for medical care, or visa and travel costs to visit the victim, etc. They will always find excuses not to meet the victim in person, but will maintain the relationship and continue to make requests for money from them.
  • Fraud recovery scams are when someone who has been a victim of fraud in the past is contacted again by scammers. They pretend to be the police or a government agency that can help recover the money that was lost in the first scam, but they the victim to pay a fee to get it back, for example claiming that it is tax to be paid to HMRC before the money can be refunded to the victim.
  • Loan scams happen when a victim is asked to pay an upfront fee for a loan with the guarantee that it will be approved whatever their credit history; however, they must pay an upfront fee to cover insurance for the loan. But once paid, the scammers cease communication and the loan is never received.
  • Rental fraud happens when would-be tenants are tricked into paying an upfront fee to rent a property. The property doesn’t exist, is already let, or has been apparently rented out to multiple victims at the same time. The victim loses the upfront fee they have paid and fails to secure the property.

For advice on identifying and avoiding advance fee scams, go to: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/advance-fee-fraud

You can find out more about scams by going to:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-campaigns/awareness-raising-campaigns/scams-awareness-campaign-2022/