I am happy to see that people are still trying hard to stop the developement which would undoubtedly end in pain and suffering, both in the short and long term. Being a person who has seen @first hand the pain, anger and devastation asbestos causes,anything that can be done to halt this travesty should be done and as many people as possible should be made aware of the full capability of this killer dust, before it is too late.

   The landowners have a duty to make sure their footpath behind the bowling green can be used safely. Its present condition is a disgrace. It was a condition of the 1995 redirection of the footpath that it should be properly maintained. The new owners now have that obligation.

This begs a more serious issue- if they cannot honour an agreement to maintain a path, then what cast iron guarantees does Rochdale get about the long- term health risks posed by any development of the site.

Pot holes and puddles are bad enough- our children's health must not be ignored in such a cavalier manner by the new owners of the site.

   I won't repeat some of the excellent points already made but I would like to ask why so far there has been no comment from two of the enforcement agencies responsible for protecting public health?

Can we have some comments from Rochdale MBC Environmental Health Officers and the Director of Public Health? I would hope that the Rochdale Observer seeks out such comments.

   Regarding the closure of Woodland Road. How can Countryside Properties ask for a road closure when they havenb^TMt even got planning permission, and they donb^TMt expect a hearing for their planning application for at least another 6 months? Countryside Properties have a knack of gaining planning permission across the UK on sensitive sites. They see what they want to see. For months they have dismissed reports of asbestos on TBA land while plans were drawn up. What have they now found that warrants closing this road for 18 months? The council, and planners seem to be bending over backwards to help Countryside Properties get their plans through. To sum up, the developers have so far b" Destroyed 2 acres of woodland - Denied danger if the site is disturbed b" Accused residents of putting asbestos on the land b" Attempted the takeover of local website. b"Refused independent testing of soil samples by local SSV group. Between the council, council officials and the developers we are all being taken for fools. If the situation is so bad that the road into Healy Dell is to be closed for 18 months, it is time to call in the government; it cannot be left with private developers and offshore accounts. Bryan Conway

   This is a farce, Woodlands road is still being used, by the lads from the estate, on their motor bikes. The security guards are just sitting in a car doing nothing, so were is the so called danger that Countryside company are claiming. Wake up the council officals who agreed to close this road, you were hoodwinked again by this company.

   Why has the path been closed anyway if the land is safe enough to build houses and a nursery on? If, as Donald Forester said the closure was in line with emergency action like that taken when there were b^~dangerous buildings collapsing or unexploded grenadesb^TM then how can we believe the developers' claims that danger from exposed asbestos is minimal (if at all present)?

Alternatively - has the path been closed so that nobody can see what they are doing? But then why would a company which claims to be respected, ethical and socially responsible conduct itself in this way?

I can only hope to trust that the authorities responsible for overseeing this development have the courage and perseverance to ensure that any development will be carried out in a manner which is safe in the long-term rather than - as seems to be the danger - sticking a band-aid over a life-threatening wound.

   This is an extremely alarming state of affairs. If Countryside Properties have just gone ahead with the path closure without due notice, consultation or consideration then can the council and the people of Rochdale really be expected to trust their integrity in such a large scale and sensitive development?

   If 600 houses are to be built at a reasonable profit say of only B#100,000 per house, then the potential earnings from the site is around B#60 million. It is time the fiscal authorities got this company to clean up their land, it is not that they can't afford it. As for the Woodlands Road footpath, a closure of 18 days is too long, let alone 18 months! I think the authorities are like a toothless tiger in this matter, the land should be cleaned up now or the directors jailed.