Burgy homes plans on show (From Warrington Guardian)

Burgy homes plans on show

DEVELOPERS who want to build houses on the Islands Brow Burgy Bank are staging a series of exhibitions to explain to residents what the project will entail.

Three meetings will be held by developers, The Woodford Group, at the Chain Lane Community Centre, Laffak, in response to mass opposition against plans to build 431 homes on the land. The "land reclamation specialists" say the meetings will give residents who live nearby the bank an opportunity to find out more about the plans and discuss them on a one-to-one basis with members of Woodford's project team.

A further part of public consultation exercise will see 2,500 letters go out to homes surrounding the bank. Invitations to the meetings have also gone out to the town's MPs and councillors.

The Woodford Group say the meetings have been arranged simply as part of a public consultation exercise.

Spokesperson, Terry Dean, said: "We believe this development will bring significant improvements to the area, and we hope local people will take advantage of the opportunity to talk to us, and find out for themselves what we are planning."

However, an action group vehemently opposed to the plans have dismissed the meetings as the start of a "charm offensive", masterminded by a high-profile Manchester PR company.

Harmful

Opponents fear harmful chemicals could be released into the air if building work starts on the land that is made up of chemical waste from Pilkingtons' glass making process.

Last autumn they gained access to a land report which showed moderate levels of contaminants like arsenic are locked within the bank.

It is thought extensive drilling will be needed to secure the land. Residents fear chemicals could be released into the air. Health experts are investigating the claims.

Mike Pape, of Hinckley Road, Islands Brow, is chair of the Burgy Action Group. He said: "We feel they are trying to sell a glossy magazine. Their own reports show there are moderate levels of arsenic and other chemicals are in the land."

Barratt Homes, who submitted plans for the development with the Woodford Group, pulled out of the plans a fortnight ago. No reason was given for their decision.

The Woodford Group, however, are pushing forward with the planning application and say they are in talks with other companies.

The Burgy land is allocated for residential development in St Helens Council's Unitary Development Plan. No date has been set for the application to go before the council's planning committee.

The Woodford Group's exhibition dates are: Saturday, February 21, 3pm to 8pm; Tuesday, February 24, 8pm to 10pm; and Saturday, February 28, 3pm to 8pm. An artist's impression of the site is featured below.