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Asbestos find confirms protesters’ fears

8/ 2/2005

RESIDENTS fighting the proposed development of the massive Turner's site have had one of their fears confirmed.

Developers who want to build over 600 houses have revealed for the first time that there is asbestos on the site.

The Save Spodden Valley Group has been claiming that asbestos-like fibres could be seen hanging from the roots of trees blown over in recent gales.

Now a spokesman for Countryside Properties, joint developers of the site with landowners MMC Developments, has said: "We have become aware of a small area where asbestos has been exposed. This will be treated by specialist contractors following Health and Safety Executive approval.

"Several questions have been raised surrounding this situation and, hopefully, a further statement in due course will address this."

Jason Addy, from the Save Spodden Valley Group, said: "This news has put the fear of God into us. All our worst fears have been confirmed.

"We've had meetings with the developers, but we want an independent expert to examine every part of the site to find out what else is there. In particular, we want them to look at tree roots, builders' rubble left on site and earth that has been exposed when trees were uprooted near Woodlands Road.

"All we want is for all the facts to be out in the open. Then, if we find out there is no asbestos on the site, that would be good news."

Only last week Countryside Properties said it was unable to ascertain whether there was any asbestos residue on trees blown over in recent high winds. It did say, however, that small traces of asbestos dust had been found in soil samples.

Andrew Watson, Rochdale Council chief environmental health officer, said: "We have been informed by the site owners that work to remove asbestos will be carried out."

A council spokesman added: "We're working with the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and Rochdale Primary Care Trust on appointing an independent inspector to examine the site. We hope to announce who that will be in the next few days."