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Key asbestos question remains unanswered

Bethan Dorsett
4/ 2/2005

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for the development of the old Turner's site claim asbestos-like fibres can be found hanging on exposed roots of trees blown over in recent gales.

But, despite several requests from the Observer this week, the developers still haven't confirmed what the substance is - or whether or not it is asbestos.

Ian Kelley, managing director of Countryside Properties Northern, only said: "We have looked into your inquiry and following an inspection of the boundary of the site to the area given we were unable to identify any new incident following the recent high winds when some of the trees were uprooted, disturbing the capping on existing asbestos waste shafts, causing a residue on tree roots."

The company, which wants to build 650 homes in partnership with MMC Developments, has said only small traces of asbestos dust could be found during their soil tests.

Campaign group Save Spodden Valley, which has already taken councillors to the Rooley Moor Road site to view the mystery substance, is making a fresh appeal for former workers to come forward.

They fear any further work - the developers have already felled 200 trees on the site - could push deadly asbestos fibres into the air.

Spokesman Jason Addy said: "Our biggest problem is identifying where all the asbestos has been dumped around the factory from the 1920s to the 1970s.

"Many of the former workers are now dead or have moved from the area.

"We are appealing to all readers who remember the dumping to contact us.

"If the fibres are disturbed unknowingly this could be a life or death issue for some of those downwind of the factory."

The group can be contacted on 644774 or savespoddenvalley@hotmail.com

The Friends of Healey Dell group met this week to discuss concerns over an environmental report in the planning application.

The group says it will request a council-led survey if the development is given outline planning permission.