Ruth Kettle-Frisby, one of the founders of Clear the Air, expressed deep concerns for Rainham residents, stating, 'Rainham is one of the most deprived areas of London and nothing has been done to stop the fires and to protect desperate Rainham residents from harm.' She criticized the Council's lack of action, highlighting that the community feels neglected and forgotten, exposing them to health risks due to inaction regarding the illegal landfill.
Residents have reported severe health impacts, with Ms Kettle-Frisby mentioning, 'Cancer patients struggling to breathe' and the general fear among locals, describing how many avoid going outside and live in constant alertness regarding potential fires. Parents of children with asthma remain on high alert, emphasizing that the current situation of toxic air is intolerable.
The legal claim challenges the Council's failure to acknowledge the health hazards associated with the landfill. The law firm Mischon de Reya stated, 'When councils make these decisions, they are obliged by law to take certain things into account, including whether the site causes or is likely to cause significant harm to health.' This compliance is under scrutiny due to alleged errors made by the Council.
Allegations against Havering Council include a pre-action letter sent on October 10, which accuses the Council of making several legal errors in its decision regarding the landfill site. The impact of the illegal site has been severe, with soil analysis revealing potentially hazardous materials like asbestos, as well as other pollutants that severely affect the air quality and public health.
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