COUNCIL chiefs have appointed a firm to investigate what lies beneath an old chemical dump zone where developers now want to build a huge housing development.

Details of the probe emerged as campaigners who are fighting a planning application to erect more than 430 homes on the Burgy Bank at Islands Brow held a public meeting.

More than 100 residents from estates surrounding the land, which is covered with wildlife but consists of waste from Pilkingtons' glass production in the first half of the 20th century, attended the packed meeting at Chain Lane Community Centre.

There, protestors again cited evidence from a report commissioned by the would-be developers, The Woodford Group, that toxic metals lie within the bank and could pose "a moderate risk to health".

Campaigners are also opposed to plans because of apparent destruction to the wildlife on the banks, and the likely increase in traffic to surrounding roads.

This week, a St Helens Council spokeswoman confirmed an independent land study has begun and is expected to last a month.

She said: "The Council has commissioned a firm to look at three areas: air pollution, contaminated land and structural instability."

Meanwhile, The Woodford Group, have announced they plan to hold an exhibition detailing their plans in an attempt to allay residents' fears.

Their statement reads: "An exhibition is being planned where visitors will have the opportunity to discuss the proposals in depth on a face-to-face basis with individual members of The Woodford Group project team.

"Additionally full plans and technical information will be available for those interested to look at in greater detail."

Chair of the Burgy Action Group, Michael Pape, welcomed the council's decision to undertake an independent study of the bank.

The 57-year-old, from Hinckley Road, said: "The firms we are opposing over this, like Pilkingtons and Woodfords, might be major outfits, while we're just Joe Bloggs - but we intend to keep on fighting. If there is even a one per cent risk to our health this should not go ahead."

Plans for the development were submitted in May. The application is expected to go before St Helens Council's Planning Committee in the new year.