Atkins report on former Turner Brothers Asbestos site published

Details of work that will be required before any planning application on the former Turner Brothers asbestos site in Rochdale is considered were published on Monday 24 July.

Rochdale Council employed the consultants Atkins Global to review the contamination assessment submitted with the planning application from MMC and Countryside Properties for the former Turner Brothers Asbestos site.  They were asked to advise the Council on the further work required in relation to the contamination on the site so the Council could determine if and how the site might be safely redeveloped.

Atkins' reports have now been received by the Council.  There are two separate documents, one covers the issue of asbestos contamination and a separate report covers other contamination issues.  Atkins has also prepared a non-technical summary of each report.

The reports emphasise that much more work to assess potential risks at the site will be required by the applicants.

Rochdale Council is stressing that unless and until it is satisfied that the site can be remediated and developed safely, the planning application will not be recommended for approval.

Head of Planning amp; Regulation Services, Ken Smith said: "The reports lead us into the next stage of the planning process, which is to advise the applicant on what further work we need them to do and what further information we may require."

This has necessarily been a painstaking and detailed process, with the safety of local people always our highest priority."

Ken Smith also made it clear that in addition to the work identified by Atkins Global in relation to contamination at the site, Rochdale Council will also require more information on several other matters. These include the impact of traffic from any new development, the development mix on the site, and the overall adequacy of the applicants' Environmental Statement.

Ken Smith added: "It is important to re-emphasise that it will be only when, and if, we are completely satisfied that all contamination and other issues have been properly addressed, and that the proposals are acceptable in planning terms, would we make a recommendation to the Planning Sub-committee.

Save Spodden Valley Campaign co-ordinator Jason Addy gave his first impression of the reports on Monday morning, he commented: “We welcome this independent report. For over two years it has been the local community’s word against the developers. We have always maintained our real and legitimate concerns about health and safety. We as a community know all too well the dangers of Spodden Valley’s asbestos. We all want a safe a positive solution to the contamination issues.

"For the developers to suggest there is no asbestos contamination was an insult. To be told that the only option for the site was over 600 homes and a children’s nursery was a sick joke.  

"Hopefully, today will see the start of the full truth coming out about the Spodden Valley so that safe decisions can be made about its future. Is that too much to ask-   the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”