Fears over asbestos waste

7:37am Sunday 1st July 2007

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PLANS to build an asbestos waste storage facility in South Ockendon have been met with contempt.

Chris Savill from South Ockendon Residents Association, says an asbestos facility will drive people out of the area.

Mr Savill of Mayflower Close, said: "There's a lot of families here and I don't believe the facility can contain asbestos the way they say they can.

"Once asbestos gets in the air that's it. We don't want this facility here.

"My brother moved away years ago because of the quality of air around here."

The facility would deal with the receipt, transfer and dispatch of asbestos waste including temporary storage in waste containers.

The site has been earmarked for Unit 5 in Ardmore Road, and the application's fate is currently being decided by Thurrock Council.

Chair of South Ockendon Residents Association, Sue Gray, 53, of Cherwell Grove, fears for the health of future generations.

She said: "We are devastated that an Asbestos company is planning to dump here. Thurrock has a high dependency of chest and breathing problems and we don't need any more.

"My grandchildren don't need this kind of legacy left to them by my generation. We have done enough harm to them as a society as it is."

Pensioner Jean Hagger, 70, of Mayflower Close, said: "This could be a really dangerous situation with regards to air pollution.

"This is a step too far."

Portfolio Holder for Planning and Community Protection, Councillor Ben Maney, said: "This scheme is due to be decided in early July.

Thurrock Council is looking into the concerns of residents, which we take very seriously as everybody knows the dangers associated with asbestos and therefore the health and safety of residents must be paramount.

"Councillors Barry Johnson and Amanda Arnold, local councillors for Ockendon, have discussed this application with me and have conveyed their utmost hostility to it, I am therefore aware there is considerable concern.

"Thurrock Council also has concerns about how industrial vehicles will access the proposed site, due to narrow and residential streets in the area."