Second Turner Brothers Asbestos site planning application withdrawn

Turner Brothers Asbestos site

Wainhomes (North West) have just withdrawn their planning application to demolish the former Turner Brothers Asbestos (TBA) Research Block and build 69 dwellings on the Shawclough Road site.

This planning application has no connection with the longstanding application (currently on hold) by Countryside Properties to build over 600 homes on the main former TBA site in the Spodden Valley. 

In December 2005 the Save Spodden Valley campaign sent a submission to Rochdale Planning Department about the Wainhomes application. Concerns were raised about the need for more environmental information.

SSV Campaign co-ordinator Jason Addy welcomed the developer’s move to withdraw their application until further notice.

“Given the amount of new information that has come to light in the past 18 months about the history of the whole TBA site and the extent of workplace and environmental contamination, SSV submitted that there is currently insufficient information to enable a decision to be made regarding this planning application. This is in addition to the wider debate and ongoing work being done to consider safe, permanent remediation and methodologies to deal with contamination”.

“Within the next few weeks we are expecting a report from Rochdale Council’s independent consultants Atkins Global. That may become a starting point for what can or can’t be done safely on the whole of the former TBA site.”

Healey Councillor Elwyn Watkins welcomed the move by Wainhomes as an opportunity to explore further options for the development of the Shawclough Road site.     

“In addition to health and safety concerns, I also receive many complaints about the constant traffic problems for Healey residents who use Shawclough Road. 

“Instead of a further increase in car congestion, perhaps there is a chance for good jobs and office space in Healey rather than just squeezing yet another housing development on site that once employed local people”. 

The developers have up to 12 months to resubmit an application without a further planning fee.