Contaminated land case study - Poole

Residents living on a housing estate in Poole are still waiting to hear the results of investigations to confirm whether their houses are built on contaminated land, despite Poole Borough Council originally stating they would be available in July 2009.

This case came to light at the beginning of 2009, when the Council wrote to homeowners explaining that their houses, constructed during the 1960s and 1970s, were situated above former clay pits which had been used for dumping ash, clay, domestic refuse and scrap metal during the 1950’s. The Council stated that those responsible for causing the contamination should pay for remediation, but conceded that if they can’t be traced, ‘then in some cases individual owners may be responsible for the cost of the works to their properties’.

Residents are anxiously waiting for further news after results from the site investigation were eventually received by the Council in September 2009 and then sent to the Health Protection Agency for their comment and opinion.

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