Contaminated land case study - Hornchurch

Havering Council is planning to carry out a second round of testing on the site of the former Hornchurch Airfield to assess the level of contamination in the land, after initial sampling revealed fragments of asbestos and low levels of landfill gas.

The site, which covers approximately 150 hectares, was originally a farm with a gravel pit attached to it. It was subsequently developed into a military airfield in 1915 and continued as an RAF airbase throughout World War II, finally closing in 1962. Gravel extraction and landfilling then took place and residential properties were constructed on the site through to 1993.

Although the results of the original survey concluded that the potential risk to residents was ‘moderate to low’, the Council intend to conduct a further series of soil, water and gas investigations. A formal approach for funding was made to DEFRA in November 2008 and residents now face a period of uncertainty until the Council can complete its testing programme and release the results.

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