COUNCIL tax payers are likely to foot the £50,000 bill for a survey into the potential health risks of any development on the old Turner Brothers site.

The six-month survey, which was requested by Rochdale's director of public health Dr Sheila Will, is expected to investigate what risk, if any, there is of contamination on the site.

Rochdale Council is already spending £80,000 on an independent survey into the issue of asbestos contamination on the site, where developers want to build 600 houses.

Members of a working party, made up of councillors to look into residents' concerns, are calling on the two companies behind the application to pay for the survey.

Councillor Ann Metcalfe said: "They should pay for the report without question - they know about the implications of any development on that site.

"It is extremely annoying that the council looks likely to have to pay for it.

"But the stakes are high on any development so we have to give the public peace of mind."

Councillor Elwyn Watkins said: "The safety of residents does come first.

"But I am calling on these developers to pay at least half of the cost of the assessment.

"While they have paid just £5,000 for this application to be processed, the public could end up having to pay £130,000.

"It is ridiculous."

Head of planning Ken Smith said the cost of the health impact assessment was set to be £50,000, although a decision had to be made as to who would fund the survey.

He suggested this would be either the council or the Primary Care Trust, but said the council would be contacting the developers.

Both MMC Developments and Countryside Properties declined to comment.