Public event held for lithium site plan in Viables

As previously reported, plans have been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council asking for permission to change the use of St Modwen Park, in Jays Close, Viables, for the production of lithium chloride, which is used in various products.

A total of 64 people objected to the plans and many attended the public event at Viables to express their concerns to the company behind the proposals – Leverton - including that the site is too close to homes and could produce “toxic chemicals”.

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The company already has two manufacturing sites in Basingstoke, one on the Lister Road Industrial Estate and the other in Houndmills.

At the public event, representatives from Leverton were on hand to answer questions and showcase its work alongside its plans for the Viables site.

Included was information about its safety measures such as a ‘spill control mechanism’ which ‘reduces the likelihood and effects of causing harm to workers and the environment’ and a fume detection system designed to ‘safeguard the environment and human health’.

However, many residents who live close to the site were not reassured.

Amanda Laing, from Beverley Close, Viables, said: “I’m opposed to it. I don’t feel it’s appropriate to have a chemical plant within 150 metres of residential homes that will be transporting large amounts of hydrochloric acid. That really concerns me.”

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The 60-year-old who is retired added: “Plans like this belong on an industrial estate and further away from schools and homes. I said if there is a leak, how will we all know? What’s the evacuation plan?”

Mark Boghurst, 42, from Cottle Close, Cranbourne, said: “My main concern is the chemicals involved. There must be other locations they could do this. They have given me some reassurance but I’m still against it because one incident is a risk to the community and it only takes one.”

Lynne Sandford, 65, from Beverley Close, was annoyed that residents were only told about the plans a few weeks before Christmas, with limited time to respond.

She said: “I had a week to make an objection on a subject I know nothing about. If you look up about lithium you find all sorts of things about fires and fumes. My concern is if something goes wrong.”

Cllr John McKay, cabinet member of communities, partnerships and inclusion at the borough council, was at the event and said he will ask the development control committee councillors who will decide on the plans “whether they feel the concerns of the residents have been addressed”.

Graham Howe, from Leverton, said: “We have had a good number of people coming in and on the whole they are positive. People come in with questions and some have come being positive from day one and others have read the display panels and talked to us and have perhaps gone away with any fears or concerns alleviated and are happy with what we are doing.”

He said the company had addressed concerns relating to odour and the environment, adding: “We have been able to quell those concerns that these things are not going to happen and we are a long-standing company and we are bringing employment to the town.”

If approved, the site is expected to create up to 150 jobs over the next two to three years.

Mr Howe said Leverton had chosen to develop another Basingstoke site to offer further opportunities in the town to people with the specialist skills needed, adding: “It provides that opportunity for local people so they don’t have to travel to London or somewhere else. It’s keeping the work in Basingstoke.”