UK's first eco village hit by asbestos claims

AN old factory that could become the UK's first eco village may pose a serious asbestos threat, former workers have claimed.

Owners of the former Paton and Baldwins factory in Darlington, now known as Lingfield Point, want it to become a flagship ecological community.

It could include low-energy offices, homes, and leisure facilities.

But at least nine ex-Paton and Baldwins employees have won compensation after suffering from asbestosis. More are in the process of claiming.

One worker said redeveloping the site could be "like a bomb going off".

However, Lingfield Point's estates manager said appropriate safety measures would be taken.

George Temple, 71, of Westmoor Road, Darlington, worked at the Paton and Baldwins site for 32 years until it closed in the early Nineties. Of those, 30 years were spent in the boiler room - which is now earmarked for a large office space.

"In the last three or four years in there, we were dressed like spacemen, covered head to toe, " he said. "The place was covered in asbestos.

"Before then, we had no protection at all. We used to eat our meals on the firing floor. Our gaffers used to say: 'Don't worry, it's only magnesium'."

Mr Temple does not have asbestosis, but fears he may end up with it. He said: "There have been too many of us already. I worry when they start work, asbestos will be blown all over. It could be like a bomb going off."

Charlie Bentley, 82, of The Broadway, Darlington, stopped working at the site, including the boiler house, in 1986. He has successfully claimed compensation.

"It was in a terrible state in the last few years, asbestos crumbling all over the place. They reckon you only need to breathe in one or two fibres. I'm sure they will bring in experts. It will have to be done properly."

Derek Ianson, 72, started at Patons and Baldwins in 1949 and left in 1994. He said: "We ate asbestos, never mind breathed it in. They'll have to bring specialists in."

Eddie Humph-ries has been Lingfield Point's estate manager for 13 years. He said: "I can understand people's concerns - it was built in the late 1940s when asbestos was used quite a lot.

"The asbestos was cleared from the boiler room in the mid-Nine-ties, after the site closed. There may well be some in the four huge boilers, but that will be contained.

"We have an asbestos consultant and contractor, who will look at how to remove the boilers safely."

A spokesperson for Lingfield Investment said: "Before we start the regeneration of any buildings we remove asbestos using the very latest safety techniques.

"It is in line with our sustainable vision to reuse existing buildings where possible, rather than knock them down and build new."

Northern Echo – 6/3/07