PLANS to redevelop the former Turner Brothers’ asbestos factory site should be scrapped.

That’s the view of the Greater Manchester Association of Trade Unions Councils after claims were made in a national publication that the dangers of asbestos were covered up.

Now, the association is calling for Rochdale Council planners to reject plans to build 600 homes on the former Rooley Moor Road site.

A spokesman said: "The planners must do their public duty and deem the site permanently unsafe for urban development and formulate a plan to seal all possible sources of asbestos dust as an urgent priority."

Meanwhile, the chairman of the TBA working party says campaigners are worried that past mistakes could be repeated.

Councillor William Hobhouse believes that there are still gaps in the regulatory framework for asbestos fibres in soil, despite lobbying by local politicians and campaigners.

He said: "If we are not to repeat the fatal mistakes of yesteryear, the council will need to start to properly understand which site areas can and can’t be developed and why.

"For a year now, I have been asking for proper soil sample testing of the whole site, to establish the extent and concentration of asbestos.

"Proper scientific data and analysis remains the only safeguard for our children and grandchildren’s health."