Asbestos campaigners call for 'bribing, bullying and bugging' investigation

Rochdale asbestos campaigners are backing calls for an inquiry into allegations of 'bribing, bullying and bugging' regarding residential planning applications. The claims have just been made by the Channel 4 Dispatches programme 'Britain’s Bad Housing'.

Andrew Gilligan’s television documentary alleged that a public relations and lobbying company called PPS Group has been involved with sending of questionable letters in favour of planning applications, attempts to infiltrate community campaign groups, bugging of meetings and the creation of 'secret dossiers' about councillors. The documentary alleged possession of a PPS Group document describing whether it could 'bribe' or 'bully' a London Borough Council. Other alleged tactics included 'university students' making enquiries with local campaigns to gather information.

Although many of the allegations broadcast by Channel 4 involved London planning applications, the Rochdale-based 'Save Spodden Valley campaign' is calling for an inquiry.

The Save Spodden Valley (SSV) community campaign claims that the Manchester office of PPS Group was commissioned by Countryside Properties PLC to promote its planning application in 2005 to build over 600 homes and a children’s nursery on what was the world’s largest asbestos textile factory.

Last month it was announced that the main developer, Countryside Properties PLC had pulled out of the deal.

The site owners, MMC Developments Ltd and Rathbone Jersey Ltd (MMC Rathbone) have never commissioned the services of the PPS Group. A spokesperson said: "I confirm that the site owners, MMC Developments Ltd and Rathbone Jersey Ltd (MMC Rathbone), have never commissioned and therefore certainly not retained PPS Group. There was and is no relationship between MMC Rathbone and PPS Group."

SSV campaign co-ordinator Jason Addy is shocked by the alleged tactics of PPS Group exposed on the Channel 4 Despatches programme. He is backing calls for an Inquiry into their activities in Rochdale. He said: “The last three years have seen some very odd goings-on in Rochdale with the asbestos site planning application. We’ve had several mysterious telephone calls and email enquiries.

“I don’t know whether PPS Group have been involved in any of this. If not, a thorough inquiry should give them an opportunity to clear their name."

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EDIT

Rochdale Online would like to draw readers' attention to the quote in this article from MMC Estates. This has been alterred at the request of MMC Estates after the original quote was misconstrued and did not accurately portray MMC's stance on this issue. Rochdale Online would like to apologise to MMC Estates for publishing the original misquotation.