Contaminated land case study - Lennox Mews, Worthing

Residents of Lennox Mews, Worthing were shocked to discover that no remediation had been carried out on the land where their homes were built, despite the presence of ‘low-level’ contamination.

The 12 properties affected were built on the edge of a plot previously occupied by a filling station and MOT car garage.

The issue came to light in July 2010, when a solicitor, acting on behalf of one of the residents selling their property, flagged up the problem following a land search. Worthing Borough Housing Association brought in a consultant to test the land, and a low level of contamination was found, leaving the resident unable to sell.

Worthing Borough Council subsequently confirmed that a condition in the planning consent, requiring investigation and remediation of any contamination had not been observed by the developer who built the houses. As the developer has since gone into liquidation, the remediation costs have been passed to the Housing Association.

Residents currently await details of when remedial work is to begin.

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