Cross Party European support for Save Spodden Valley

Save Spodden Valley campaigners have been invited to speak this month at an asbestos conference in the European Parliament buildings. Whilst in Brussels, campaigners are also taking the opportunity to meet with MEPs and European Commissioners to discuss the controversial planning application to build over 600 homes and a children’s nursery on the site of what was the world’s largest asbestos textile factory in Rochdale.

Save Spodden Valley co-ordinator, Jason Addy is optimistic about the visit:

"This is an opportunity to discuss positive solutions for the huge problems posed by the former asbestos factory site.

"Many laws that people think come from Westminster are actually decided in Europe. Of particular importance to the Spodden Valley are regulations on asbestos, waste, contaminated land, water and air pollution, public access to environmental information and nature conservation.

"We welcome the cross-party support that we have received from all our MEPs. This shows that on important issues of public health and the environment, political differences are put aside."

MEPs from all parties are supporting the principles of the Save Spodden Valley campaign. There has also been requests to the Office of Deputy Prime Minister to “Call-In” the planning application to a public inquiry.   
          
Included in those MEP’s who have given formal statements about the Spodden Valley campaign are:

Conservative MEP Den Dover who is Chairman of the EU Construction Forum:

Mr Dover says:

"I was MP for Chorley in Lancashire for 18 years and have been Member of the European Parliament for North West England for the last six years.

"I am a civil engineer by profession and have built thousands of houses in both the public and private sectors. I know from years of property development experience that contaminated sites need very careful scientific studies and extremely expensive decontamination measures to ensure the safety of any residents allowed to live in housing on such sites.

"I have fought against asbestos waste sites in the past and would strongly urge that the Spodden Valley site be not allowed to be used for housing purposes. The lives and the health of future residents and their children are far too precious.

"I support the Save Spodden Valley campaign in their aims and will be signing a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister asking for the application to be called in."

Support also comes from Dr John Whittaker MEP for the UK Independence Party, North West Region

John Whittaker MEP says:

"I fully support the Save Spodden Valley campaign to ensure that the contamination at the former Turner and Newall site in Rochdale is safely and satisfactorily dealt with.

"The matter must be addressed by relevant local and national authorities within the UK, and I am sure the campaign is right to press for a public enquiry.

"UKIP has the policy of granting greater autonomy to local authorities including the provision for local referenda on matters of serious concern. This is designed precisely so that local authorities
become more accountable to local communities and better able to cope with issues such as those in the Spodden Valley of Rochdale."

 
Gary Titley MEP, leader of the Labour MEPs in the European Parliament, is vocal in his call for a public inquiry into plans into the controversial plans for the former asbestos factory in Rochdale:
 
Gary Titley MEP says:

"I call on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to launch a full and thorough public inquiry into the proposed scheme. The plan to build houses what may be such a seriously contaminated site offers such a clear threat to health and safety that evidence must be heard by an inspector and submitted to the OPDM for consideration.

"A public inquiry is an important part of the democratic process and provides the best way for evidence to be heard by the local community and others.

"Asbestos is a toxic substance that is banned in Europe. The development as proposed violates many European laws aimed at protecting the environment and the health, safety and rights of citizens.

"It has been through the European Environmental Information Regulations that Save Spodden Valley campaigners have been able to discover exactly how dangerous this site could be."

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies also voices his support for the Save Spodden Valley campaign. Mr Davies is leader of the British Liberal Democrat MEPs and is also the Liberal Democrat spokesman on the environment and public health in the European Parliament.
 
Chris Davies MEP says:

"I am concerned that there appears to be a loophole in UK law that the developers seem to be exploiting.
I will work closely with the Save Spodden Valley campaign and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen to make sure that the people of Rochdale are safe from asbestos contamination."

Laurie Kazan- Allen of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) has closely followed events in the Spodden Valley over the past 16 months and comments:
 

"I welcome the Save Spodden Valley campaign’s participation in the European asbestos conference at the Parliament buildings in Brussels. Asbestos contaminated land is sure to be a hot topic.

"Any attempt to redevelop an asbestos-contaminated site without due care and attention poses a serious risk to local people, workers and the environment.

"After one hundred years of UK asbestos deaths, any lack of attention to these known risks is immoral not to say unlawful. I congratulate the people behind The Save Spodden Valley campaign for their commitment and persistence in exposing the important issues that must be addressed so that there can be a permanent solution to the contamination issues on the site.

"The sheer size and history of the former Turner & Newall makes the site one of national and international importance. The photographs published of what lurks beneath the surface of the former T&N asbestos factory site are shocking. The manner in which the new landowners and developers have acted in the past 16 months has been watched carefully by many in Britain and beyond, thanks to the news stories and investigations conducted so diligently by the media."