Developer Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDWH) said it will “ensure that there is no risk to residents or the licenced asbestos contractors carrying out the work.”
A woman who relies on an oxygen tank to breathe is becoming increasingly worried by a proposal for a new housing development in the field behind her street. The proposed site, located on a 56-acre plot of land south of Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby, has been confirmed to have asbestos in the ground.
Helen, who has lived in Kirkby all her life and raised her family in the town, said residents want to retain green spaces and there are concerns developing the land could pose a risk, due to the asbestos on the land.
Previous planning applications have been submitted for the land in question, the most notable of which was the first new Everton FC stadium planned for Kirkby which would be accompanied by a large-scale Tesco supermarket. At the time, government communities secretary John Denham decided the £400m Destination Kirkby project would breach shopping policies which discourage supermarket chains from sucking business away from town and city centres.
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Helen is part of a group of local people who have launched a campaign against the latest plans after concerns were raised about the potential disturbance of asbestos. The project has been proposed by Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDWH) and a planning application has been submitted to Knowsley Council for the creation of 807 new homes.
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A Geoenvironmental report on the site includes guidance on how to approach the development of the land containing asbestos and recommends the construction workers on the site wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDWH) said it will “ensure that there is no risk to residents or the licenced asbestos contractors carrying out the work. This will include putting in place exclusion zones around any suspected asbestos and using dust suppression techniques to prevent anything from becoming airborne.”
Knowsley Council has confirmed no decisions have been reached in regards to the BDWH development. Helen said: “They’ll be wearing hazmat suits but there’s no mention of us as far as I can see and how we’ll be protected. I have severe breathing problems as it is. For me, the potential risk is particularly deadly and I’m not the only person on oxygen on this estate.”
A spokesperson for Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes said: “As part of the extensive site investigation works undertaken, we have identified asbestos in some of the soil samples. This is not uncommon on previously developed land and was fully expected on this site, given the materials used in the construction of the former buildings located there.
“We will agree with the council on a plan for the removal and disposal of any asbestos, and put in place monitoring, to ensure that there is no risk to residents or the licenced asbestos contractors carrying out the work. This will include putting in place exclusion zones around any suspected asbestos and using dust suppression techniques to prevent anything from becoming airborne.”
Campaigners were invited by Knowsley Council chief executive, Mike Harding to sit down and share their concerns which is something the group appreciate. This direct line of communication has helped the campaign keep abreast of all developments related to the proposed site plans and is a forum in which they can share concerns about asbestos. The group are convinced every effort will be made to ensure limited risk but, understandably they will not be satisfied until the risk to public health is zero.
The local authority confirmed ground investigation works and surveys have been undertaken at the site, including environmental and ecological surveys. The site investigation findings have been published as part of the planning application and asbestos and other materials were identified. The land is a brownfield site and such findings through site investigations are not “uncommon” and the council are convinced the issue can be effectively addressed through “rigorous safe working practices and monitoring”.
A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: “It is important to note that no decisions have been made relating to this planning application and it could be a matter of months before it is considered at a future Planning Committee.
“The Council does hear and understand the concerns that have been raised about this development by several residents and we can assure them that they will be fully considered and form part of the decision-making process.”
Residents are encouraged to submit comments as part of the formal planning application process. The application can be found on www.knowsley.gov.uk (visit Planning and Development / Planning permission / View a planning application and the reference is 24/00068/FUL).
