News & Stories

Yerbury Primary School, London

Challenge:

In December 2019, a planning consultation document was posted to Yerbury Primary School to inform them that the food delivery company Ocado were planning to convert an empty warehouse behind the school into a 24/7 distribution depot. 

The planning application was for the installation of lights, CCTV security cameras and three diesel petrol pumps to refill a fleet of 100 Ocado vans. The plans also showed car parking spaces for 100 Ocado vans, nearly 100 staff vehicles plus HGV access roads and loading bays. Ocado had not consulted the local community and instead had used legal loopholes to quietly slip onto the site. This site would put the health of the students of Yerbury Primary School at risk, with polluting Ocado vans coming in and out of the depot throughout the school day.

Action:

Yerbury Primary School parents and community members who opposed the plans came together to form the NOcado campaign group. In May, after months of research with help from the community, the group have submitted a pack to Islington Council explaining how this loophole was taken by the landlords of the site, Telereal, and how Ocado were able to secure the land despite not consulting anyone from the local community.

NOcado hope that Islington Council will revoke the licence given to Ocado, and even publicly state that no such warehousing, on any other potentially threatening activities, should happen on this piece of land going forward, as it poses genuine risks to the school community of Yerbury Primary School.

Outcome:

A response to NOcado's demand for the revocation of Ocado's licence by Islington Council is expected any day now. We will update this site as the news comes in.

If their licence is revoked, it is likely that Ocado will apply for a new one to build their depot.  if you'd like to help with NOcado's ongoing campaign, feel free to email [email protected] to explain why Ocado, or any other company, should not be allowed to build a depot behind Yerbury Primary School. 

Getting started…

Watch clips from the National Youth Climate Summit that was held virtually in April 2020 - how can your students use their voices to influence decision-makers?

Be inspired by more of NOcado's campaign videos and keep an eye out for updates on Twitter: @CampaignNocado