Ocado’s plans to open a 24/7 distribution centre beside Yerbury Primary School are on hold after Islington Council revoked the site’s Certificate of Lawfulness on 14 October.
The council revoked the certificate after accusing Ocado’s landlord of providing false and misleading evidence.
Campaign group NOcado have been protesting against the distribution centre since December 2019 due to public health concerns.
Andrew Grieve, an air pollution scientist and NOcado campaigner, said: “We’ve known for some years now that air and noise pollution can harm children’s physical and mental development.”
“Today marks a milestone in not putting the building of distribution centres ahead of community health,” said Natasha Cox, another NOcado member and parent at the school.
Tricia Clarke and Gulcin Ozdemir, the Labour councillors for St George’s ward, which would have received the bulk of the traffic, said in a statement: “We campaigned with the local community, in particular parents at Yerbury, to stop the Ocado depot and we are delighted the Council has made the decision to revoke the Certificate of Lawfulness.
“Our schools should be free from toxic air pollution and this is an important step in the campaign to stop polluting vehicles outside Islington’s schools. We thank local people for their campaigning on this issue and will continue to work with residents to deliver cleaner air for Islington.”
A spokesperson for Ocado told Islington Now that “Ocado is committed to being the best possible occupant of the site at Tufnell Park. Our plans ensure it will be one of the greenest and quietest grocery facilities in the UK but we will continue to listen and respond to any concerns.
“At a time when delivering groceries to the home has never mattered more, we are disappointed by the council’s decision to revoke the site’s Certificate of Lawfulness and we are considering all options with the landlord.”
