Residents and councillors react with horror at the prospect of toxic substances being stored in Castleton

Toxic (stock photo)

Residents and councillors have reacted with horror at the prospect of hazardous, toxic and potentially explosive substances being stored in very close proximity to residential properties in Castleton.

Tetrosyl has applied, under The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 and The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015, to Rochdale Borough Council for consent to store hazardous substances at its distribution centre on Royle Barn Road in Castleton.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/108902/tetrosyl-submits-application-for-hazardous-substances-consent-for-castleton-site

Tetrosyl is the largest manufacturer and supplier of car care products in Europe and the largest independent oil blender in the UK.

Some of Tetrosyl’s products are toxic and known or suspected carcinogenic for humans. They pose the danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin. Prolonged contact may cause burns and may also cause severe internal injury, unconsciousness, blindness and possibly death.

At a meeting of the Castleton branch of the Labour Party at Wooolworths Social Club on Monday, the members voted unanimously to oppose the application and asked local councillors to make strenuous objections to the Council.

Councillor Aasim Rashid says he is "deeply concerned". He said: "I totally disagree with these kind of substances being stored in a residential area. Residents safety must come before business profits.

"As a ward councillor I have serious health, safety and environmental concerns and would ask the the council’s public protection service and the Health and Safety Executive not to grant the consent as it could have very serious consequences for the safety of Castleton residents."

Councillor Jean Hornby added: “Obviously it’s very concerning, it’s so near to residents. However, it wouldn’t just affect residents on the streets nearby, if anything were to happen, it would be the whole of Castleton.

“It is also a strong concern that the warehouse is adjacent to the Soccer Factory indoor football centre that is very popular with school children.”

Castleton resident, Ann Simpson, who lives just yards from the Tetrosyl site, said: "I have seen Tetrosyl’s application, and the thousands of kilograms of hazardous, flammable and potentially explosive substances they intend to store there... I am terrified.

"The 173 people killed in the Tianjin explosion did not know chemicals were being stored in the town. You do. Please write to Rochdale Borough Council to tell them not to allow the storage of such dangerous chemicals in a residential area."

Another nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: "Whilst we want to see new businesses bringing jobs to Castleton, not at any price, and the danger these chemicals pose is a price too high. It is a wholly unsuitable location to store such chemicals, the potential serious long term detrimental affect to the health of local people, and the potential loss of life if a major accident occurred, does not bear thinking about.

"There are far more suitable locations away from built up residential areas for hazardous, toxic chemicals to be stored.

"The Council should listen to the fears of Castleton residents and refuse consent."

Rochdale Borough Council is the decision making body for the application (the local Hazardous Substances Authority).

A council spokesman said: "We will determine the application in accordance with relevant legislation and the specialist advice of consultees, including the council’s public protection service and the Health and Safety Executive."

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hazardous-substances

Anyone who wishes to make representations about the application should write to Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. Letters will need to be taken directly by objectors to Number One Riverside as today, Wednesday 22 March, is the last day that objections can be submitted.

Tetrosyl did not respond to an invitation to comment.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98121/residents-hold-public-meeting-overs-fears-hazardous-chemicals-could-be-stored-at-former-woolworths-site-in-castleton