Contaminated land case study - Meanwood, Leeds

41 domestic properties in Meanwood, Leeds, have been given the all-clear, after the area was identified as contaminated, due to its heavy industrial past.

Meanwood village and Meanwood Valley were once hubs of industrial and manufacturing activity. The area housed many mills, dye works and tanneries, plus quarries that were dug to supply stone and slate for building. Over time, industrial decline saw the Meanwood area urbanised, and the quarries were filled in with ash and other waste products.

Evidence of contamination was initially discovered in August 2008 when soil samples were taken by Leeds City Council, and after extensive testing, the land was legally declared as contaminated in January 2010.

Remediation work began in March 2010 and involved the affected properties having pits dug in their front and back gardens, and patios being lifted in order to obtain soil samples.

In June 2010 the remediation was completed, finally removing the blight that surrounded the area.

<< Back to contaminated land case studies in Northern England