Horrified residents fear they are living near Britain's new 'Toxic Town'

Dozens of residents fear they are living near Britain's new "Toxic Town" and are being forced to breathe in deadly "asbestos dust." Locals in Westgate, Cleckheaton, in West Yorkshire, claim the dust is being generated by construction work on nearby contaminated land.

They are now demanding a complete stop to the works after five samples of the dust they submitted for analysis returned positive results for asbestos. They claim they are "fearing for their lives" with adults and children experiencing health problems, including being prescribed inhalers to combat breathlessness and undergoing chest x-rays to screen for cancer. Dust has been discovered on properties up to three streets away from the development site, according to residents.

Contamination reports indicate asbestos has been 'potentially' detected in all four sections of the six-acre construction site. However, it was reported an "unknown quantity" of asbestos was allegedly deposited at one location - which previously housed an industrial facility that utilised asbestos - yet the "exact location" remains unclear.

Residents say the toxic fibres are being dispersed by excavators and also carried into the atmosphere by wind from exposed piles of dug-up earth and has been settling on vehicles, properties, and even inside dwellings.

However, the developer, Thirteen Group, maintains that their redevelopment complies with safety regulations. Kirklees council has acknowledged the concerns of local residents about asbestos at the site and has "ordered extra tests" for "hazardous chemicals" in response.

Local resident Tracy Weaver, 55, expressed her fear: "We are all terrified of the consequences of inhaling the toxic dust. Some of us believe we are living in the new 'Toxic Town'.

"You would have thought lessons would have been learnt from the mistakes made in Corby. We have six new people on the street needing inhalers, and four have been referred for chest x-rays.

"There are also two children, a two year old and a nine year old with blocked lungs struggling to breathe. Those with pre-existing health conditions are saying they have had to have their dosages increased. We are helpless and terrified for our lives."

Another resident, Janine Gray, 44, voiced her desperation: "We are desperate. This has been going on for 14 weeks now us all breathing in asbestos, children and adults with breathing difficulties, it's such a concern and money can not come before residents' health."

An anonymous local shared their experience: "Since construction began, harmful dust has covered our home, forcing us indoors and affecting our health.

"I used to love our home, but with constant dust, confirmed asbestos, and being unable to enjoy our garden, I have truly fallen out of love with it, and still no one is taking responsibility."

Records reveal that Strata Homes Ltd originally submitted planning permission to construct 180 new homes on September 8, 2021, but development only commenced on October 17, 2023, when the plans were approved. The redeveloped area, a "mix of brownfield and greenfield" land, spans 16 acres.

The project is slated for completion by 2028. Affordable housing provider, Thirteen Group, has since taken over the site, though construction is still being undertaken by Strata Homes.

In several supporting documents, including Contamination Reports submitted with the planning application, geoenvironmental consultancy firm Lithos indicated that asbestos was 'potentially' found in all four areas (A - D) of the site. They noted an "unknown quantity" of asbestos was allegedly dumped at area A, previously home to an industrial works involving asbestos, but the "exact location" remains unknown.

This asbestos is believed to have been dumped by a previous tenant and subsequently covered over. However, residents claim that it wasn't merely dumped asbestos, but an asbestos factory called A Roberts Heckmondwike LTD, which operated in the location for 50 years. Interestingly, this factory wasn't included in the geoenvironmental reports, according to local residents.

Other structures within the plot include a former rolling mill, scrap yard, malthouse, brickworks and a quarry. A Remediation Strategy was included in the application, detailing how risks linked to any contaminants on the site, including asbestos, would be mitigated.

The strategy suggests a "precautionary approach" during initial works, with the expectation that more asbestos may be discovered.

It also sets out the contractors' responsibilities, which include preventing the off-site migration of contaminants through airborne dust and vapours. This involves dampening soil containing asbestos to stop the dust from being blown into the air by the wind.

Steps will also be taken to prevent new homeowners on the estate from accessing contaminated soil. However, since the works began, residents have reported finding thick layers of dust on their cars and homes.

Videos taken by residents show excavation work taking place just metres from people's properties. Other footage shows dust hanging in the air as workers develop the land.

Following this, seven residents who had dust found on their properties between June and July of this year had their dust tested and analysed by asbestos specialist, Acorn. Results revealed that five of the properties in the area had amosite [brown asbestos] present in the dust in two samples, and chrysotile [white asbestos] in three samples.

Kirklees Council previously reassured residents, stating they will take "concerns" over air quality raised "seriously". They revealed that they had conducted "nineteen monitoring visits in recent months" at the site and are in "regular dialogue with the developer to ensure the conditions of the planning approval are being met".

This dialogue includes scrutinising and reporting on any "hazardous chemicals" reportedly found at the site, ensuring they are at a "safe level". They also mentioned they are "taking expert external advice" to ensure residents are "safe and protected".

However, Kirklees Council have now stated they will conduct additional air quality tests around a building site in Cleckheaton due to concerns. The council has also confirmed that the site was previously home to industrial units that "involved asbestos".

A spokesperson for the council said, "There are strict rules about how the developer manages the site and any emissions their work causes. At a public meeting attended by council officials last week (Wednesday, 6 August), residents raised serious concerns about dust escaping from the site and affecting nearby homes.

"The concerns of local people centred around the potential for asbestos to escape from the site and into local homes. Despite current testing showing asbestos being managed effectively at the site, the council has ordered additional independent testing of air quality to reassure residents.

"Starting this week (week commencing 11 August 2025), independent testing for asbestos in the air will be carried out around the site. The council has also pledged to step up its efforts to ensure all the conditions to control dust and manage contaminated land are being followed.

"We understand how concerned residents are about asbestos at the site. Like many building sites in Kirklees, and across the country, there are hazardous chemicals in the ground that need to be managed carefully.

"That's why we've ordered these extra tests to respond to what residents have seen and address their understandable worries. We will carry out this thorough testing as quickly as we can and report the results back to residents before deciding what, if any, further action is needed. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the site closely."

Thirteen's chief executive, Matt Forrest, acknowledged local residents' concerns and confirmed they have "sought assurances from the specialist contractor handling the remediation of the site".

He stated: "The contractor has confirmed that work is progressing in a phased and controlled manner, in line with the remediation plan approved by Kirklees Council, and in full compliance with national regulations.

"The site has been visited multiple times by officers from both Kirklees Council and once by officers from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - they have looked at how the site is operating and carried out various assessments, none of which have identified anything of concern.

"The contractor continues to manage dust through approved mitigation methods, has monitoring in place, and is in regular dialogue with the HSE and Kirklees Council to ensure work is carried out safely."

In response, residents have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund legal action aimed at halting the development. They are also demanding that the development be paused until independent testing and a review of safety measures can be conducted.

Donations can be madehere.

Strata, the developer, has been contacted for comment.

Corby, Northants, was dubbed 'Toxic Town' in a Netflix documentary due to the high number of birth defects caused by airborne toxic pollutants from demolished steelworks.