Residents hold public meeting overs fears hazardous chemicals could be stored at former Woolworths site in Castleton

Former Woolworths site in Castleton

Residents from the Castleton area held a public meeting on Saturday (19 September) to air their concerns in relation to the former Woolworths site.

In August, Rochdale Online reported that Tetrosyl, the largest manufacturer and supplier of car care products in Europe and the largest independent oil blender in the UK, is looking at the site as a potential location to store hazardous chemicals.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/97720/former-woolworths-site-in-castleton-could-be-used-for-storing-hazardous-chemicals

During the meeting, which was organised by resident Tom Brogan, it was confirmed by the site owner, Nick Crew, that Tetrosyl is in discussions regarding purchasing the site. It is understood that Tetrosyl would use the site for warehouse and distribution with manufacturing staying in Bury.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mr Crew said: “As a businessman I want jobs for the area. I am a Castleton lad and I don’t want the site to stay derelict for another 20 years. I think we need to do something with it and do something as the community with the site.

"I think the meeting was fair and objective.”

During the meeting a number of residents raised concerns about the potential of having hazardous chemicals on site in a residential area.

One resident said: “No one wants a chemical plant on his or her doorstep. The council should throw it out.”

Residents are also concerned that the planning application mentions the site being used 24 hours a day seven days a week and the nuisance and disturbance from floodlights and from the loading and unloading and reversing of heavy goods vehicles. Concern was also raised about the level of traffic that would use Royle Barn Road and Royle Road.

Mark Robinson, Head of Planning at Rochdale Borough Council, accepted the residents invitation to attend and answer questions and he explained in detail that legally the current planning application before the council is all that can be determined at present. That application, by the company owned by Mr Crew, proposes re-cladding and re-roofing of existing buildings and increasing the roof height by three metres. The Planning Committee will make a decision on that application on Tuesday 29 September.

Should Tetrosyl subsequently complete the purchase of the site from Mr Crew, Mr Robinson explained they would need to satisfy a number of agencies due to the health and safety aspects of storing hazardous chemicals but that is not a matter currently before the council.

Councillor Jean Hornby attended the meeting and assured residents that she didn’t want to see anything on that site that would be detrimental to their safety.

Speaking to Rochdale Online she said: “As a ward councillor I wanted to come along and hear what people had to say and I think they have been good in expressing their views and concerns.

"At the minute we can only do what we are required to by legislation but I want to assure the residents that I will do what I can so that nothing that is detrimental to their safety is on that site.”

Representatives from Tetrosyl were invited to the meeting but did not attend.