Overview

• Independent testing of airborne asbestos fibres began this week around the 6.5-hectare Westgate housing development.
• The Health and Safety Executive visited the site and has requested additional source and background monitoring records.
• Residents report six new inhaler prescriptions, four hospital chest X-ray referrals and say private analyses found asbestos in five of seven samples.
• Kirklees Council and developers maintain that remediation follows a phased, controlled plan compliant with regulations and that prior inspections raised no concerns.
• Local campaigners are calling for deeper groundworks to halt immediately and for an independent public health inquiry before the next phase starts.