Residents grilled the leader of Barnet Council over plans to relocate a waste and vehicle depot.

Coppies Grove Residents’ Association held a public meeting last night in the British Legion, in Friern Barnet Road, about the council’s proposals for the site at Abbots Depot, in Oakleigh Road South, New Southgate.

Barnet Council is due to move the depot from its current site in Bittacy Hill, Mill Hill, in December 2016, and is currently negotiating on two alternative sites – one at Lupa House, in Borehamwood, and the Oakleigh Road South site, which is the preferred option.

The depot would serve rubbish trucks and include a bulking facility for food waste and rubbish, a fuel station and offices. An adjacent site is currently used as a depot by several companies, including two skip companies.

People living nearby put concerns to the council's leader Councillor Richard Cornelius about the impact on them and the fact that a nursery and primary school are nearby.

Alan Foskett, who lives on the Coppies Grove estate, said: “Most of us don’t want the current site, let alone the new one. The noise is six days a week and it’s horrendous.

“As for the fuel station, we had a great big fire before. This would be even worse. It’s so close to residential properties. I don’t know how they can think it’s a feasible site. It’s bad enough now.”

Chairman Traudl Winkler said the bulking facility was the biggest concern, to which Cllr Cornelius explained that it would be done under cover, and that nothing would spill.

Cllr Cornelius also ruled out keeping the site in Mill Hill, as the contract to leave was “watertight”.

He added that Pinkham Way – the original site for the planned relocation – would have been “the ideal site” as it was near the North Circular Road, but that the council could not get planning permission from Haringey Council, which has overall control for the site.

Jez Simms, who lives in Whetstone, said the area was already too busy, and that the plans would have a huge impact on people’s lives.

He also raised the issue of how the proposals had been pushed through at a council meeting last month, when the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Hugh Rayner, used his casting vote after Brunswick Park councillor Lisa Rutter abstained from voting.

Mr Simms said: “Why should we be beholden to the mayor’s vote. One person makes the decision. Do you think that’s fair and right?”

Cllr Cornelius replied: “In fact I do. It’s not just one vote. All the other councillors had a vote as well. There had to be a way to deal with the deadlock.”

Brunswick Park councillor Kathy Levine said that the “social cost” had not been taken into consideration, and stressed how marginal the seat was.

She added: “As residents, you can have an impact. If you can make enough noise about this, they will have to listen. Your votes are going to be crucial about who runs the council.”