Site investigation and groundworks were reported in spring 2025 on an 800‑home development north of Kirkby Town Centre, prompting health concerns from local people after construction workers were seen wearing protective breathing gear on land known to contain contamination. The scheme, by Barratt & David Wilson Homes (BDWH), covers land south of Cherryfield Drive where soil sampling has identified asbestos and, according to technical reports, other contaminants such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Local families say they are worried about dust and fibres being released while the ground is disturbed.
Residents have shared photos of workers in full protective suits and masks and questioned why staff appear to need high‑level protection when nearby homes are not being physically shielded. Liverpool Echo coverage reported protesters asking workers to stop and demanding clearances about the risks and the measures in place; campaigners have also called for works to be halted during high winds and for independent air quality monitoring as the soil is turned. Campaigners including Neil Dunne have urged independent air tests to reassure the neighbourhood.
The developer issued a statement on 12 February 2025 to local outlets saying it is using water suppression and other dust control measures during siteworks. In a MerseyNewsLive interview BDWH said all work follows industry and regulatory safety requirements, that contaminated material will be handled by licensed contractors or sealed (capped) beneath clean cover where appropriate, and that the company believes the site can be remediated to make it safe for future residents once works and monitoring are complete.
Knowsley Council granted planning permission for the scheme and progressed disposal of the former school sites as part of wider regeneration plans; this forms part of the borough’s Local Plan ambition to deliver around 8,100 new homes by 2028. The council and developer say remediation and monitoring will manage risks, but many residents remain worried about possible health impacts — concerns informed in part by Kirkby’s history of industrial pollution, including longstanding complaints about the former Sonae factory.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
