CAMPAIGNERS are tirelessly continuing their fight as construction on a waste depot right outside their homes has begun.

Plans to relocate Barnet Council's waste depot to Abbots Depot, in Oakleigh Road South, New Southgate, were approved last October.

At the time, campaign group Abbots Depot (RAAD) gathered more than 1,500 signatures on a petition opposing the plans, saying it would bring noise, traffic and congestion to the area.

The new depot will include parking for rubbish trucks, a bulking facility for food waste and a petrol station.

Jez Simms who lives in Whetstone, said the area was too busy to handle the new depot.

Mr Simms said: “They say it is the best place for the depot, but best for who? Do they really think it is best for people to have a waste depot right outside their house?

“They say they care about the community, and the tax payers and about doing things in the right way. They say they care about health and wellbeing, but they don’t.

“And with plans for the new homes, they are thinking about them already, but what about the existing properties? And the people who live there now, and their livelihood? Still we the residents fight on because we all say no.”

The proposals were pushed through at a full council meeting in December 2014, where, former Mayor, Cllr Hugh Rayner was given the casting vote.

Neighbours received another “devastating blow” last November, when the former London Mayor Boris Johnson did not intervene in the development.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “Development of this existing waste and industrial site as a council depot will enable the regeneration of the Mill Hill area and the Mayor is satisfied that issues regarding noise, design and air quality have been suitably addressed.”

Cllr Dan Thomas previously said the site was the “best option” based on “operational, financial, planning and risk factors.

Cllr Thomas said: “The new depot will be an improvement on what was there before. There will be fewer lorries and the eyesore of skips replaced with newly planted green screening.

“North London Business Park is privately owned and it is for the landowner to decide what happens there. There is a housing shortage and so I would like to see new attractive and affordable homes built.”

What do you think? E-mail Bethan.marsh@london.newsquest.co.uk.