Rochdale's Former Asbestos Giant Stirs Back to Life, Sparking Deep-Seated Local Concerns

Rochdale, Greater Manchester – The long-abandoned Turner Brothers factory site in Rochdale, once the world's largest asbestos production plant, is showing signs of activity for the first time in years, prompting a wave of anxiety among local residents concerned about its toxic legacy and uncertain future.

For decades, the massive, more than 70-acre site off Spod Road, a familiar but unsettling landmark for those walking along the River Spodden, has sat crumbling. Known as Spodden Park, it housed a thriving industrial complex from the 19th century, employing thousands before manufacturing ceased in the 1990s. Its grim distinction, however, is its past as a global hub for asbestos production, a highly dangerous carcinogen linked to diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

To the surprise of many onlookers, contractors have recently been observed on the site. Site owners, Spodden Park Ltd., have stated they are dealing with, "invasive plant species". This marks the first visible action on the land in years, yet the lack of transparency surrounding the work has fuelled local apprehension.

Mick Coats, a resident living just a stone's throw from the old factory, has campaigned for years to transform the area into a country park. He voiced his profound concerns to the Manchester Evening News, stating: "I'm concerned it’s not being looked after properly. There was asbestos on there so it’s a worry".

Mr. Coats highlighted the long-term dangers associated with the site's history. "The history it has, the danger it poses in the long term could only hit 40 years from now with it being asbestos. It’s buried all over so there is no knowledge about what areas are safe or not locally". He added, "Safety concerns means we’re against housing there generally. But as the building degrades, asbestos could get exposed". Mr. Coats also reported witnessing unauthorised activity, including "people on site who are pinching metal, lighting fires etc."

In an apparent attempt to engage with the community, Spodden Park Ltd. has recently launched a website with a contact form, promising to keep residents informed of future plans. However, concrete details remain elusive.

Sources within Rochdale Council suggest a future redevelopment could include hundreds of new houses alongside green space, though Spodden Park Ltd. has not confirmed any such proposals. This comes despite a previous controversial plan in 2004 for 650 homes, a children's daycare, and a business park, which was ultimately rejected by Rochdale Council in 2011.

Mr. Coats expressed frustration with the slow progress, noting, "Since the takeover back in 2021 we’ve had all these promises and nothing has happened. Someone is dealing with the trees and the weeds we can see but nothing major is happening in terms of developments".

The Labour group running the council has stated that the site, "does not meet the legal definition of contaminated land", a position that clashes directly with local sentiment and the historical use of the land. There is also ongoing confusion regarding the site's ownership, which changed hands in November 2021.

Mick Coats, who stood as a Green Party candidate in the 2023 local elections, has been a vocal critic of the handling of the site. In his election pitch, he argued for the Turner Brothers site to be, "recognised that the Turner Brothers site is a highly contaminated site and treated as such". His concerns are echoed by Carl Faulkner, an independent campaigner, who stated, "Locally I have been very concerned with issues that affect us – particularly the pitiful standard of our local councillors. We cannot rely on them to represent us in the way that they should. They have done nothing to protect our open spaces, done nothing to deal with the old, highly toxic Turner Brothers site or even to tackle the problem of speeding".

Before any building work can commence, Spodden Park Ltd. would be required to remediate the land to an acceptable standard and secure planning permission from the local authority, a process likely to be met with intense scrutiny from a weary wider community, led by greedy politicians, concerned about the public purse, and a reluctance to tend to derelict land.

Mr. Coats concluded his election pitch of two years ago, with a broader call to action: "Make a change, give me a chance to shake up the local political establishment and hold them to account. We have been labelled a 'rotten borough' for far too long. Just complaining is not enough, you have a vote, use it".