The Environmental Justice Project is a collaboration between:
Voluntary Action Camden, Somers Town Neighbourhood Forum, University College London and the Environmental Law Foundation.
The purpose of the project is to strengthen the voice of local people who want to address the negative impacts of construction and development on their health and well-being.
Evidence presented by local residents alongside health and environmental impact assessments carried out by developers has been examined through an Environmental Justice Inquiry. The Inquiry focused on the Euston Area because of the number of current and proposed developments, including national mega projects like HS2 and Crossrail 2. Concurrently local residents in the area who have campaigned for more environmentally and socially sustainable alternatives have generated a wealth of grass roots evidence.
The findings and recommended actions are the experiences and views of local people who took part in the Inquiry. These have been examined by legal experts and given legal context. Documented ‘evidence’ from approximately 1200 people has contributed to the work.
The information generated by this project is expected to be of value to communities affected by intensive building development. In the Euston Area, the emerging Action Plan reflects a determination to influence policy at local and London level, facilitate legal protections on green spaces, and ensure that cumulative impacts of development are transparent and managed so that community health improves. Some of the actions are already projects in progress.
Whats New?
In July the Camden Clean Air Partnership was set up and a Clean Air Action Plan is being developed for Camden:
https://camdencommunitychallenges.commonplace.is/
Three Environmental Justice Inquiry events chaired by David QC Chair of the Environmental Law Foundation took place during Autumn 2017.
Downloadable Documents:
Air Quality Presentation by Dr Claire Holman Dec 2018.pdf
Recommendations for Somers town Neighbourhood Plan policy for improving air quality.pdf
Environmental Justice Action Plan.pdf
Environmental Justice Inquiry summary of findings.pdf
This is an interim DRAFT of the EJI report for comment. – Please email feedback to dturnbull@vac.org.uk
Case studies filmed by Dieter Deswarte and students at UCL: