800 homes on 'contaminated' site could cause 'substantial harm'

Residents and councillor Steve Smith protest at council meeting over plans for new housing development
-Credit:LDRS


Plans for 800 new homes in Kirkby will go ahead despite hundreds of objections from concerned local people. Knowsley Council's planning committee met on Tuesday evening and approved the controversial plans from developer Barratt & David Wilson Homes. This was despite vociferous opposition from dozens of residents who fear the health implications of developing what is contaminated land.

Proposals centre on the construction of 800 new dwellings with vehicular access from Cherryfield Drive and Bewley Drive and includes provision for 80 affordable homes.

The brownfield land to the south of Cherryfield Drive has been earmarked for development for many years and was identified in the council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme to meet housing demand in Kirkby and support the town centre.

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Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “This is a great opportunity for Kirkby to further build on its economic growth in recent years. The proposals will provide more much needed new homes to meet the rising demand we are seeing and targets we are being set nationally to tackle the housing crisis.

“Fundamentally though, this development is more than just new homes, it’s another key part of our regeneration vision for Kirkby. The plans will bring high quality homes into the town and more people into the town centre – which can only be a good thing for local businesses and for future investment that we all want to see."

Plans for nearly 800 homes south of Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby
Plans for nearly 800 homes south of Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby -Credit:Knowsley Council

However, there is significant opposition to the plans which has escalated over the course of the last few months. The ECHO reported some of the personal stories behind the objections including lifelong Kirkby resident, Helen who relies on an oxygen tank to breathe. Helen lives just next to the approved development site and is increasingly worried about asbestos being disturbed during development of the site and is less than reassured by the applicant's mitigation proposals.

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Before the interview with Helen, the ECHO covered the launch of the Kirkby Residents Group (KRG) which began campaigning to stop the Cherryfield Drive development and lobbied the council to refuse planning permission. The campaign centred around the potential impact on local habitats for foxes, bats, voles and hedgehogs and the disturbance of hazardous materials.

KRG was represented at last night's council meeting by Shaun Lever and Neil Dunne. Mr Lever was first to address the planning committee and explained KRG's belief the size and location of the Cherryfield Drive development is not in the best interests of the community.

Mr Lever said: "This development will unearth 3 types asbestos and other dangerous contaminants." Adding: "The vital risks and impacts have not been effectively addressed."

Neil Dunne was then invited to speak, he said: "The development will contribute significantly to the borough’s housing needs but does not override the substantial harm it will cause. Housing delivery must be balanced against the loss of vital green infrastructure, biodiversity, and the wider impact on the community." Mr Dunne added: "[This development] could contribute to future chronic illnesses in Kirkby."

This health concern was also echoed by independent councillor Steve Smith who also spoke in opposition to the application, he said: "Let me make it clear from the start, residents are not objecting to housing development.

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"They're objecting to this application in its current form and the location based on technical, scientific research identifying contaminated landfill site and surrounding the area containing asbestos and other contaminants."

The council report presented to the chamber included a section on the contaminated land issue, it stated: "Where there is evidence that a site may be affected by contamination, proposals should be accompanied by a site investigation report and schedule of remedial measures and a verification report shall be submitted before the development is brought into use."

The land proposed for development in Kirkby behind a residential street
The land proposed for development in Kirkby behind a residential street -Credit:Liverpool ECHO

The report added: "The Geology, Ground Conditions Contamination chapter of the Environmental Statement identifies that there is contaminated land on the site but concludes that during the construction and operation phases of the development with appropriate mitigation the potential effects would be negligible.

This was supported by a statement from the council planning officer who added: "The contaminated land information has been submitted to us by the applicants. It has been poured over by our consultants for our environment healthy and Environment Agency.

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"They are satisfied with subjective planning conditions that the development can be done in an acceptable way and [...] we will make sure that the developer is adhering to conditions."

Addressing the KRG members in the council chamber, Knowsley Council leader, Graham Morgan said: "We fully appreciate the concerns that you've got, especially when it comes to the development and the disruption and we've got to make sure our officers keep their eyes on the ball all the way through that development

Cllr Morgan added: "When I became a leader to the council the residents and the council's representative for Kirkby made it very, very clear that they haven't got a town centre, they haven't got a supermarket, but look at the difference now, because we made some bold decisions of planning committees."

Adding: "People have been crying out for houses in Kirby and hopefully the younger generations will move into these houses, and the next generations will bring their children up into these new houses as well."

Cllr Morgan went onto say: "I appreciate, there are concerns a lot of nervousness when new developments are being built, but I think there's some really exciting times for Kirkby."

A chartered ground condition expert spoke on behalf of the developers and said: "The council's contaminated land officer and the Environment Agency have made no objections subject conditions, remediation will be delivered using industry standard proving techniques that are regularly used to safely bring brownfield sites back into beneficial use, ensuring no risk to future occupants, the wider environment and to public health."