Dawley battery factory homes decision put off

A decision on the building of 152 homes on the former Eveready factory off Hinkshay Road, Dawley, has been put off after councillors on Telford & Wrekin's planning committee agreed unanimously that they wanted more detailed information.

Committee member Peter Scott, for Newport North and West, said: "We need to know that there are no risks. This is so serious potentially for the people who live there that we must be certain.

"We are being asked to make a decision and I want to feel and know that it is safe."

His comments came after Mark Evans, a resident at Belvedere Court directly next to the site, said a whole host of toxic chemicals were used at the site for 40 years of battery production and residents had seen no proof that the ground was now clean or safe.

To make matters worse workman had already been on site with diggers kicking up dust, even though permission to start work had not been granted yet, he said.

But Justin Howell, speaking for developers Countryside Properties, said that work was simply to clear vegetation, not building work, and had now been stopped following the raising of concerns.

He said outline permission had already been given for 169 houses on the site but the current plan was for a less dense development, which was key to Telford & Wrekin Council meeting its quota of housing for the next five years – and would create jobs and a boost for the local economy.

He said the ground was still classed as contaminated but surveys had been carried out on site and developers were working with the Environment Agency.

"When we finish the development it will be a clean site," he said.

Council officers assured the committee that there was a detailed plan to deal with the contaminated ground, which had been put in place when the plan was given permission at outline stage.

David Fletcher, development management service delivery manager, said: "We are fully aware of the different contaminents on the site and the environmental officer has looked at this in great detail."

But councillors were still wary. Nicola Lowery, for Ironbridge, said she thought the site was overcrowded and was "struggling to support it", while Nigel Dugmore, for Muxton, said there was very little detail in the report about how hazardous materials would be dealt with.

Councillor Scott said assurances from officers without the detail were not good enough as he was the one being asked to rubber stamp the plans.

"I'd just feel happier if there was more proof in front of me now," he said.

Committee vice chairman Chris Turley, for The Nedge, moved for deferral until expert officers could give a detailed breakdown at a future meeting, to which councillors unanimously agreed.