Developers have been told to stop work on a hotel on the site of a former petrol station due to concerns over decontamination.
A temporary stop notice has been issued by Redbridge Council after work began on the four-storey 55-bedroom hotel in Green Lane, Goodmayes.
Planning permission was granted by the local authority in 2011 to the dismay of neighbours, who set up a petition opposing the plans.
Conditions over refuse storage facilities, construction activity and traffic were set as part of the permission, but it has now emerged that some of these have not been met.
A council spokesman said the condition relating to decontamination of the site is currently “under consideration” and that a temporary stop notice has been served.
He added: “The council will review the position when this expires and if there are remaining conditions that haven’t been approved, we will serve an enforcement notice and a permanent stop notice.”
Campaigners who objected to the plans claimed the hotel, which is being developed by a company called Silverlake Properties Ltd, would be an eyesore, would increase traffic to the area and would put pressure on parking spaces.
According to planning documents, there are currently 18 car parking spaces proposed.
Keith Stanbury, chairman of Goodmayes Residents’ Association (GRASS), said: “Members are mainly concerned over parking.
“There is not enough car parking space included in the proposals. For a 55-room hotel that’s just not enough spaces – it’s ludicrous. People are outraged by the whole thing.”
Committee member Mary Stevenson added: “I noticed work had started on it but there are a number of different conditions that should have been met before but they haven’t.
“We have concerns because there is nothing to say about what sort of hotel it will be. We have some worried residents.”
However, business leaders say the hotel, which will create ten new full-time jobs, is a welcome boost to the local economy.
Redbridge Chamber of Commerce chairman Geoff Hill said: “From our point of view, any new business that opens up in the borough that can provide jobs is generally a good idea.
“With Crossrail and the rest of it, there’s probably a need in Redbridge for more accommodation.”
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