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TBA plans protest heads for Europe

Michael Byrne
9/ 9/2005

CAMPAIGNERS battling against proposals to build more than 600 homes on the former Turner's site are taking their case to the European Parliament.

Members of the Save Spodden Valley group have been invited to speak at the European Asbestos Conference in Brussels later this month by its chairman, Dutch MEP Kartika Liotard.

One of the main items on the agenda will be plans by Countryside Properties and MMC Developments to develop the site which used to be the home of one of the world's largest asbestos factories.

The firms want to build around 600 homes plus business units and community facilities on the site, despite the fears of local residents who believe the work could disturb dangerous asbestos left by Turner's operations there from 1879 to the 1970s.

During the two-day meeting Jason Addy, one of the group, will be sat on the top table taking questions about the site from MEPs and European commissioners. He will be joined by Su Wilson, Mick Coats and Nigel Morrell.

Mr Addy said: "Getting to meet with European commissioners is quite a coup for us. We hope this will be an opportunity to discuss positive solutions for the huge problems posed by the site.

"This site is seen by many in Europe as the home of asbestos and a test case for how to handle such applications, particularly from Eastern European states, which have huge problems with asbestos.

"There may also be European funding available for remediation works to remove asbestos from ths site."

The Save Spodden Valley campaign has gained futher support from MEPs in the North West. These include former Littleborough and Saddleworth MP Chris Davies, who is planning to visit the site next week with Rochdale MP Paul Rowen.

Mr Davies said: "I will work closely with Save Spodden Valley and Paul Rowen to make sure the people of Rochdale are safe from asbestos contamination."

Another MEP, Gary Titley, said: "I want the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to lauch a public inquiry into the proposed scheme."

The group has also had messages of support from MEPs Robert Whittaker and Den Dover.

Mr Addy said: "We're very pleased to have cross-party backing from local MEPs and we've also had a lot of support from Paul Rowen."