We carried a story about the toxins at Hollicombe last weeek, and because you’ve only got until Friday, May 14 to have your say on the development that could release poisons into the air, we got our hands on a press release to explain more about the project which rallied 450 written objections and a massed protest
Many residents of the Preston and Livermead areas of Torbay and parents of children who attend Preston Primary School are deeply worried by the revival of plans to develop contaminated land on the old gas works site at Hollicombe.
Reports have shown the land to contain potentially severely health damaging chemicals such as cyanide, arsenic, naphthalene, zinc and mercury. In similar redevelopment projects, dust containing these substances has been strongly linked to birth defects, cancers and respiratory illnesses suffered by the population who live and work in the surrounding area.
In 2008, despite approximately 450 written objections, and massed public protest, the Special Development Control Committee of Torbay Council granted conditional approval to Midas Homes for a plan to build 185 flats at the former gas works site in Hollicombe.
These conditions required the developers to provide further information on the extent of the contamination of the land and on processes to safely decontaminate the site. The committee also required further proposals to solve traffic issues and access to the site.
Midas Homes have now returned to Torbay Council with more information in an attempt to satisfy the conditions so that development work can commence.
Dr Andrew Robinson, a former Environmental Health Officer, speaking on behalf of the Preston Residents and Parents Against Toxic Dust Group told the PRSD: “I am extremely concerned about this proposed development and the way in which the developers intend to clean the contaminated site. I live with my family quite close to Hollicombe and my son is due to start at Preston Primary School in September. The site directly adjoins the school.
“We know that the ground of the gas works is badly contaminated with a number of dangerous substances. However, the clean up strategy provided by Midas Homes states that they still need to do more research to determine the full extent of the problem.
“The strategy they have produced contains no details on how they will control dust emissions from the site during clearance, reclamation and building work. Survey work carried out so far shows that contaminated soil containing cyanide will need to be excavated right next to the school’s boundaries. The Remediation Strategy provided by Midas Homes states they don’t know the actual volumes of soil requiring treatment.
“The land will not even be completely cleaned when works are finished. Contaminated soils will be covered by a layer of hardcore and top soil. There will be no private gardens on the site and residents will not be allowed to plant or grow vegetables. There will be ‘biopiles’ of contaminated soil distributed around the site.
“It’s the young, the old and the pregnant who are particularly likely to have their health damaged by poorly controlled reclamation of such badly contaminated land. Corby Council were recently found negligent by the High Court for failing to control the reclamation of an old steel works site in their area. They are paying millions in compensation to young people suffering birth defects as a result. The same contaminants are present at the Hollicombe site. Torbay Councillors must consider whether they are really prepared to risk similar problems here.
“The Governors of Preston Primary School are deeply concerned about the possible risks to the health of children attending their school. There are a growing number of parents who will consider withdrawing their children from the school if work starts on site.
“If you are worried by this development then your concerns must be expressed in writing to the council by Friday, May 14. You can contact the Preston Residents and Parents Against Toxic Dust through our Facebook group or email us on pre...@yahoo.co.uk. We will be staging public protests in the run up to the council’s decision on planning approval. Please get involved.”
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Related posts:
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- Parents, governors and residents urge Torbay Council to address toxic safety fears of Hollicombe development before planning application Governors, parents and residents continue to urge Torbay Council to...
- Secretary of State supports community in the potentially toxic development at Hollicombe The proposed development at the old gas works at Hollicombe...
