By Sheila Chapman, Junction Ward Councillor  

The Planning Inspectorate have dismissed the appeal by Ocado to open a depot next to Yerbury School.  

As a local ward Councillor for Junction, I am delighted for the local community that the Planning Inspectorate has ruled in our favour, following on from a four-day hearing in June. The appeal was launched after our Labour-run Council refused – for the third time – to grant the scheme a ‘lawful development certificate’, stopping it from going ahead.  

Over the last five years, we as local ward Councillors have campaigned alongside parents at Yerbury School and local residents to support the ‘NOcado’ campaign and are delighted this has now come to an end. 

Islington Labour is committed to taking action to tackle toxic air pollution, especially around school gates. The proposal to build a depot so close to the school goes against everything our Labour administration is doing to improve air quality in the borough.  

Air quality for our children and tackling the environment and climate emergency are top priorities for Islington Labour and that is why we have continuously strongly opposed these plans. 

The victory in stopping the Ocado delivery hub is a victory for Islington, but also a victory against a developer trying to by-pass the rules to avoid a full planning application.