ENVIRONMENTAL health officers have called for more information about how residents would be protected from pollution and noise amid concerns about plans for an asbestos transfer station in Cleckheaton.

Established firm Check Environmental has submitted a change-of-use application for premises at Brookside Works, Brick Street, that were previously used by a stone-cutting firm.

Although an industrial site, Brick Street backs on to homes on cul-de-sacs off West End Drive.

The proposed facility would house up to ten containers and is for individuals to take small amounts of asbestos to the site that is properly wrapped, or double-bagged and sealed.

In addition containers would be hired out to demolition sites or sites where asbestos is being stripped from buildings.

A petition against the plans has been signed by more than 400 people.

Now Kirklees Council environmental health officer Matt Roberts has been consulted over the scheme. His report states that he is concerned about the lack of information provided with the application and is seeking information on pollution and noise concerns.

He states: “I am concerned about the potential release of dust, odour and potentially harmful matter (e.g. asbestos).

“Before the application is considered, it is recommended that the applicant submits a report by a suitable competent person, to the satisfaction of the local planning authority. “The report shall include a written scheme of how nearby residents will be protected from dust, odour and potentially harmful matter (e.g. asbestos) from the proposed development.”

He added that he was also concerned about the “potential disturbance to occupants of nearby dwellings from the proposed development”.

He called for a report assessing the noise emissions from the proposed development and that if the predicted levels were unacceptable, it may be necessary to refuse the application.

Steve Dawson, managing director of Check Environmental, which already runs two similar sites, told the Telegraph & Argus that there was a lot of misunderstanding about asbestos and the associated risks.

“The risks are controllable with the correct procedures. Asbestos can be deadly and there are diseases associated with it, but we have standard operating procedures in place to mitigate this.

“We also operate within an Environment Agency permit which has strict rules and regular assessments.

“We have never had any safety issues at our other sites.”

Mr Dawson said the firm had been running HGV operations from a site on Brick Street for the last six to eight months, and the change of use application was the next step in bringing its asbestos operations to the site.

The plans would see the asbestos transfer station open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.