A PUBLIC meeting heard that a primary school will be built as part of the Horwich Loco Works development, although residents continued to voice concerns about the potential asbestos that may exist on the former industrial site.

The meeting, which was held at the Horwich RMI Club on Friday night, was organised by Bolton West MP Julie Hilling, who asked Bluemantle — the developers behind plans for a 1,700 house estate on the loco works site — to provide residents with an update on the project.

Ms Hilling opened the meeting, which was attended by more than 50 people, by asking for a timeframe for when work could start and was told that the first phase could start at the end of the year.

Residents have consistently raised concerns about a number of issues including the potential contamination of the former industrial site from asbestos as well as the effect the development could have on the transport networks in the area — and the same worries were raised at the meeting.

There have also been questions about the provision for education and healthcare and it was confirmed at the meeting that a primary school will be built in the first phase of the project, with a potential site earmarked on the edge of the loco works.

Bolton Council’s head of planning, Jon Berry, said: “We have a site in mind on the edge of the site as you pass the Horwich Police Station and we are looking for the delivery of a primary school in the first phase of the work.”

While residents welcomed the news that a school will be built, there were concerns raised of the potential asbestos contamination of the earmarked site.

Horwich resident Barry Moss said: “We are talking about building a school on the biggest asbestos site in the whole place.

“You have got thousands and thousands of tonnes of asbestos there.”

Council leader Cliff Morris responded, stating: “We are not going to build a school on an asbestos site. There will be tests and if it is not suitable then the plans will be changed – but let’s be positive that money has been allocated for a new school.”

The issue of contamination dominated much of the meeting, with Mr Berry stating that any “dangerous” contamination will have to be transported away from the loco works site and dealt with at “special tips.”

Resident Craig Rotherham said: “You are saying that you are going to dig up thousands and thousands of tonnes of asbestos and then move it – but Bluemantle’s policy is to bury it on site.”

Questions have often been asked about the amount of money that the developers will have to spend on cleaning up any contamination.

Bluemantle chief executive, Mark Caldwell said: “The worst case scenario, if that cost was say £100 million, then the development wouldn’t go ahead and it would remain a contaminated site.

“The best case scenario is that there is enough money in the development for us to deal with the contamination.”

Mr Berry added: “The site has to be cleaned before housing can be built, no matter what the cost is. It is as simple as that.”

There was also an assurance from Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris that the money the authority makes from the scheme will be pumped back into Horwich.

He said: “That money has already been designated to be spent in Horwich.”