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2nd March 2005
SAVE SPODDEN VALLEY GROUP TAKES TO THE AIR !
Save Spodden Valley campaigners took to the air last week to give
readers a birds-eye view of the controversial Turner Brothers
Asbestos site where planning permission is being sought to build 650 homes
and children's nursery.
Local resident and campaigner, Dave Phillips, took local people-filled with
cameras, zoom lenses and camcorders- on an hour long flight to the site.
Save Spodden Valley recently submitted a 47 page response to Countryside
Properties PLC and MMC Development Ltd's planning application for the former
asbestos factory site.
Jason Addy was one of the passengers amazed by the aerial views of our town:
“The view from 1500 feet up gives a new insight to the published plans maps
and diagrams. It brings new meaning to the planning phrase ‘greenspace
corridor'”.
“The Council's Unitary Development Plan clearly states that any future
development of the former asbestos factory site should provide an
opportunity to link all the woodlands and green spaces of the Spodden Valley
together. These routes, away from motorised traffic, could be enjoyed by
walkers, horse riders and cyclists”.
“The aerial photographs show the Spodden Valley in full- from its source
below Rooley Moor in Whitworth, through the Healey Dell Nature reserve,
through the Turners factory site and down to Spotland Bridge, where the
River Spodden joins the Roch”.
“The photographs show Spotland Bridge as the gateway to Healey Dell. This is
a valley that whole community could enjoy- and be a real asset to the town”.
“Seeing the site from the air shows how this vision for the valley can be
achieved- the factory is surrounded by broadleaf woodland- now fully
protected by a permanent Tree Preservation Order. Currently there is poor
access to the valley from parts of Shawclough, Brotherod, Falinge,
Caldershaw and Elm Park- these areas are crying out for footpaths and
cycleways”.
Campaigners believe that the published outline planning application gives no
guarantee that trees will not be felled. This is an important issue for the
campaigners as they believe asbestos was dumped around the huge factory side
for decades. Concerns have also been raised about asbestos dust fall-out,
TBA documents confirm older residents' eye-witness accounts of fine dust
being emitted from factory buildings. Many accounts of dust from the factory
have been heard at recent public meetings. A TBA document from 1957
indicates that dust levels measured from the factory roof were more than
double of those found in the production areas inside the asbestos factory.
Abdul Chowdry, a former TBA Health & Safety officer has stated publicly that
woodland was probably encouraged around the site for good reasons: He
described the felling of woodland last May as “sheer madness”.
Su Wilson echoed Mr Chowdry's concerns:
“It is acknowledged that managed woodlands help to stabilise soil. Leaf fall
creates more soil that may help to lock-in asbestos dust and fibres”.
“The aerial photographs prove just how close thousands of homes are to the
asbestos factory site. Published research has identified increases in
mesothelioma asbestos cancer rates up to 3 miles from sources of asbestos
dust. Disturbing much of the Turners site may release asbestos fibres. These
photographs show why it is important that all the facts about the former
asbestos factory are known, so that safe decisions about its future can be
made”.
Spodden Valley campaigners are still awaiting permission for their own
experts to have samples of soil from areas around the former asbestos
factory site.
Further flights are planned to the site later in spring when the surrounding
protected woodland comes into leaf.
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STATEMENT ENDS.
