Contaminated land case study - Cheltenham

"My house could soon be worthless". The thoughts of one worried resident after Cheltenham Borough Council confirmed land at Pittville Park is contaminated with dangerously high levels of methane and carbon dioxide.

The area in question was originally used as a clay and brick works before it became a landfill site, which closed in 1960. Tests have uncovered evidence that gases are seeping out of the disused landfill and moving towards homes in the area. The council are planning to dig boreholes in the gardens of 27 properties to take additional samples.

Clive Salisbury, pollution control manager at Cheltenham Borough Council said: "We weren’t expecting this. We don't know where the gas stops. We'll be carrying out a prompt but thorough screening process". Final water and gas test results should be available in early 2007 and the council has said that any potential solutions to the problem will be looked at then.

In the meantime the next few months will prove an anxious period for residents and already concerns have been voiced. Following a meeting between homeowners and the council one resident stated: "I'm worried about health, house prices and continuing subsidence. These were all issues I've raised with the council and in my view they weren't answered satisfactorily".

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