Atkins Report welcomed by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen

The publication of the Atkins Report  by Rochdale Council into asbestos and non-asbestos contamination at the former TBA site at Spodden Valley has been welcomed by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen.

The report was commissioned by Rochdale Council in February 2005 while he was Leader of Rochdale Council. Since then Paul has worked with others to highlight their concerns about the site including moving an Adjournment Debate and asking numerous questions in the House of Commons.

Commenting on the report Paul said: “This is a very thorough appraisal of the planning application and the survey work carried out on the site by the developers agents.  It totally vindicates the concerns raised by myself, local residents and Councillors, and the Spodden Valley Action Group.  It is damming of the methods and information provided by the developers who have been attempting to secure planning permission to develop the site.  The developers must now be regretting the comment in their Environmental Impact Statement, in which they said, '...of particular note is the absence of any asbestos contamination.'"

Paul continued: "That was a callous and inept attempt to hoodwink the Council and local residents into agreeing a development worth up to £100 million with no thought for the consequences for health and safety.   I hope that further action will now be taken to bring those responsible for that statement to book.  The Council Officers, particularly Ken Smith, are to be congratulated for their firm and resolute stand. No development will take place on this site until these serious concerns are answered.  The Atkins Report is an A-Z of how not to go about developing a brown field site and they are to be congratulated on their thoroughness in highlighting the woeful and cavalier attitude of the developers.  We will need to study and digest these findings further and I will be meeting with colleagues and campaigners to discuss what happens next.”

Amongst the many detailed findings of the Atkins report are the following:

• Brown, blue and white asbestos has been identified on site, with blue asbestos (crocidolite) being identified in the ropeway area of the Northern woodland zone
• ... some of these areas are potentially unstable geotechnically, with recent asbestos exposure being identified at the surface as a result of tree and woodland soil instability.
• The majority of analysis methods (by the applicant) may not have detected the presence of asbestos in soils at levels sufficient resolution to inform a risk assessment.
• No detailed human health risk assessment for asbestos exposure was undertaken by the applicant in support of the outline planning application
• No attempt has been made to assess the different exposure scenarios which may occur during redevelopment stages and post redevelopment stages for the site
• The remediation and redevelopment plans submitted by the applicant to date are not detailed
• That demolition materials sourced from the on site factory buildings might contain asbestos

There are currently no definitive UK regulatory criteria for the occurrence of asbestos in soil. It is understood the Environment Agency is currently in consultation with other government bodies (HSE, HPA) regarding the possible derivation of  'acceptable concentrations in soil'.

Source: Asbestos Environmental Review of Outline Planning Submission D44701 – Former Turner Brothers Asbestos  Plant.

In support of Paul Rowen's comments, Save Spodden Valley coordinator, Jason Addy, said: "The Save Spodden Valley campaign is grateful for the steadfast support given by all polictical parties at local, national and European level. From day one, Paul Rowen, first as leader of the Council and now as our MP, has worked tirelessly to investigate and ensure that all facts about the TBA site will come out so that safe and accountable decisions can be made.

"This report has marked a huge shift in the Save Spodden Valley campaign. Until now, objective observers may have heard the community saying one thing and the landowners saying another. It required an independent body to begin assessing the issues. After 18 months the Atkins report is the first important step for the history and future of this valley to be written.           

"Following a full day of reading the Atkins Report, we are shocked at the findings but not surprised.

"The Atkins Report vindicates the real and legitimate concerns raised by the 'Save Spodden Valley' campaign.

"If it can be called a victory, it is very bitter sweet to have it confirmed that there is the potential for cancer causing contamination in Rochdale on a huge scale. 

"From day one we said proposals for building hundreds of homes and a children’s nursery on one of the world's biggest asbestos factories were a 'sick joke' that beggared belief.   This independent report may mark the beginning of the end for this harebrained scheme.

"This report may also bring into question the role that private development companies have in assessing and policing contaminated sites. The deficiencies in the past testing and environmental statements published by Countryside Properties and MMC Estates are damning.

"The next step for the campaign is to meticulously go through the reports with experts. This will take weeks. A public meeting will then be held.

"What we all must do now is find a safe, positive and permanent solution for this troubled site."