Developers have assured Kirkby residents that there will be no risk to their safety from plans to build new homes on contaminated land, amid community division over the development.
Knowsley Council last week approved plans by Barratt and David Wilson Homes to build 800 new homes on the land south of Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby, a decision that attracted hundreds of objections from locals.
The developers told MerseyNewsLive that, through agreements with the council, a detailed remediation strategy to eliminate risk has been put in place.
A spokesperson said: “As part of the extensive site investigation works undertaken, we have identified asbestos in some of the soil samples.
“This is common on previously developed land and was fully expected on this site, given the materials used in the construction of the former buildings located there.”
The company said it would be “monitoring industry standard working practices to ensure that there is no risk to residents or the licenced contractors carrying out the work.”
One resident, Alan, 65, expressed concern about the prospect of asbestos on the site being disturbed during development. He said: “It’s not a good idea to disturb that, it should never have been put there in the first place. It’s a thing that should not be moved, unless it’s done professionally, and if it was, that is going to cost an awful lot of money.”
However, the Barratt and David Wilson Homes spokesperson offered reassurance that all work would be carried out to the highest professional standards. They said: “This will include putting in place exclusion zones and using dust suppression techniques to prevent anything from becoming airborne.”
The site has been earmarked for development for many years and was included in the Council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme to meet housing demand.
A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: “Using vacant and unused brownfield land in a highly sustainable location will reduce pressure on the use of green belt sites for housing development.
“We know from consultations we have undertaken that there is demand for homes in Kirkby and this development will help to meet demand for new homes as well as providing more choice for existing residents and attracting new residents into Kirkby.”
Some residents believe the plans should not move forward as they feel the population of Kirkby already exceeds the capacity of the available schools, dentists, and GPs in the area.
With only two secondary schools and one special needs school in the town, community members argue that funding should be directed toward improving the existing institutions.
Sarah, 34, a local Kirkby resident, said: “With the schools and hospitals and everything that we haven’t got to cater for the houses, I don’t really know how they’re able to do it.
“I know there’s a health issue with it, but I don’t understand where these kids are going or where families are getting put into either.”
Not everyone agrees. Resident David said: “People have got to live somewhere, haven’t they?”
