'What's Going On' at Former Asbestos Processing Site?

Save Spodden Valley Protesters

The Save Spodden Valley Group is meeting at Spotland Methodist Church on Monday 13 September to discuss the latest news and developments at the former Turner & Newall asbestos factory site. Local people with concerns about the issues involved are invited to attend and pose their questions.

The group’s plea is that people come together to help keep the community safe from irresponsible development. Topics to be discussed at the ‘What’s Going On’ meeting range from discussing the risks of asbestos contamination, the existence of public liability insurance, the history of the site, future plans for the site and surrounding woodland, the state of the wildlife, and what say people have in any re-development.

The disused factory was the largest asbestos textile factory in the world, processing asbestos for over a hundred years. The concern is that the destruction of woodland surrounding the factory would disturb the soil and release asbestos fibres into the air. Breathing in these fibres could lead to serious and potentially deadly health problems such as mesothelioma cancer.

Fears were initially raised at the site in May when forestry contractors and bulldozers destroyed hundreds of trees surrounding the former asbestos factory, just days after its sale to a new developer. No notice had been given, and no permission for a felling licence had been sought.

In July dozens of local people gathered to protest outside Rochdale Town Hall, many wearing chemical suits and masks. Amongst the protestors was a former Turner & Newall health and safety officer, who joined with the rest of the protestors in condemning the tree felling.

Assurances were given by the developers MMC Developments / Rathbone Jersey Ltd that in future notice would be given to local people and authorities about future work on the site. In August however, without the promised prior notice, workmen using heavy machinery were spotted disturbing soil on the site. The workers did not appear to be wearing protective clothing to guard against contamination.

Rochdale Council has since confirmed that as part of any application to develop the site, independent environmental consultants would have to be commissioned to determine that nature and extent of any contamination. If required, remedial work would have to be carried out to make sure the site would be fit for its intended purpose, validating the effectiveness of the works on completion.

The developers have been made aware of the requirements relating to contamination, and preliminary site investigations have already begun.

The ‘What’s Going On’ meeting at Spotland Methodist starts at 7.30pm. If you can’t attend but would like to ask a question or voice your opinion, phone 01706 356629, or email savespoddenvalley@hotmail.com