Ocado’s distribution hub plans halted by locals: Online grocer wanted to build depot next to school playground
Ocado has been dealt a blow after residents in North London successfully halted plans to build a distribution hub next to a school playground.
The online grocer faced a backlash from parents who feared that pollution caused by delivery lorries would damage children’s health.
Parents at Yerbury Primary School in Islington celebrated yesterday after the council withdrew permission for the site.
Ocado’s plan to build a distribution hub next to a school playground in Islington have been rejected by the local council
The ‘NOcado’ campaign lobbied Islington Council claiming there were ‘serious failings and irregularities’ in the grocer’s application.
The council accused Ocado’s landlords, Telereal, of providing ‘false and misleading evidence’ and ‘withholding material information’ to win backing for the site.
The defeat is a blow to the firm’s plans to cut delivery times by putting warehouses in residential areas close to customers.
An Ocado spokesman said: ‘At a time when delivering groceries to the home has never mattered more, we are disappointed by the council’s decision.’