Now Barratt pull out of Burgy plans (From Warrington Guardian)

Now Barratt pull out of Burgy plans

A FRESH twist in the hotly-debated bid to build houses on the Island's Brow Burgy Bank has emerged with news that Barratt Homes have confirmed they are dropping out of plans to construct the proposed development.

But their decision does not mean plans for 431 homes on the land are dead. Land developers, The Woodford Group, are still pressing ahead with the planning application to develop a residential estate on the land that contains chemical waste from Pilkington's glass manufacturing process.

However, the land-remediation specialists now need to find a new building company who would construct houses if St Helens Council gives permission for the controversial site.

Opponents of the scheme believe they have struck a blow in the fight against the proposals, but remain cautious and plan to battle on.

Barratt Homes confirmed to the Star they had pulled out of the proposed development. However, a spokeswoman for the company would only say "no comment" when the Star asked for the reasons behind their withdrawal.

St Helens Council, meanwhile, said they had not been officially notified by Barratt Homes that they are withdrawing from the application.

A council spokeswoman said: "As far as we are concerned at the moment it is still an ongoing application. "It is understood the council has written to the house builders and asked them to clarify their position.

Opposition to the scheme gathered when the application was submitted midway through last year. Using evidence from land studies, a residents action group raised concerns that toxins like arsenic are locked within the bank and could be released into the air if building and drilling started. The action group fear the toxins could pose health risks if breathed in by residents.

Mike Pape, chair of the Burgy Action Group, said: "Two major building companies have pulled out, Redrow ten years ago and now Barratts. If it was such a good building opportunity why would they drop out?"

In a statement, The Woodford Group's Terry Dean, said the proposals would move forward in conjunction with "a number of other parties".

He added that the planning application was unaffected by Barratt Homes' decision.