Peel Lane contaminated land
This site in Heywood, centred on grid reference x 384779 y
411174, comprises a Public Open Space (POS) surrounded by
allotments and residential properties. We identified this site as
high priority for inspection because of its history and
sensitive use. In 2009 we got funding from DEFRA to investigate the
site.
Background
The site comprised of an historical incinerator, a brick field
which later became a landfill which accepted residues from the
incinerator, industrial and domestic waste. We
have results of previous monitoring that shows the waste
was producing gas and was migrating from the site.
Site History
In the early 1900’s the site comprised of an
incinerator for the destruction of refuse and brick works in the
south. Later the area of the brick field was used for
landfilling.
Residential housing and allotments developed around the site.
Later the landfill was used for domestic waste. The incinerator was
demolished in the mid 1970’s with a civic amenity tip
replacing it. The landfill also closed in the mid 1970’s and the
site was landscaped to its present state.
Investigation
The investigation in May and June 2009 involved installing
boreholes within the main landfill and surrounding area to assess
the waste material, whether gas was being produced, and how far it
was migrating.
We took samples from the ground to assess the contamination and
whether it could pose a risk to the site users and the environment.
We also assessed the quality of the soil in the allotments to the
east of the site. Several gardens of properties on Cherwell Avenue
were sampled to assess the ground quality because the extent of the
landfill to the south is unclear from the historical plans.
Conclusion
The investigation of the former landfill, now occupied by a
public open space has now been completed. It is concluded that
there are no risks to health from gas migration at the
site.
Phase 2: Bay Street Allotments
A refuse incinerator was situated in the north of the site from
the 1900’s to the mid 1970’s when it was closed and
demolished. A public open space (POS) and allotments now
occupy this area.
The ground investigation was completed over Christmas 2009 and
the final report was received in March 2010. This identified
contamination on the site which may represent a risk to the
allotment holders and their families.
Contaminants on the site include lead, benz (a) pyrene and
dioxins. Dioxins are known to accumulate within the food
chain; it was known that there are poultry on the site which
produce eggs, eaten by both the allotment holders and their
families. It was therefore decided to test the eggs to see
whether they were contaminated. This is a long and expensive
process and involved working with the Food Standards Authority
(FSA), however the eggs were found to be contaminated.
The consultations and investigations have now been completed and
the site was determined as statutory contaminated land on the 22nd
November 2010. An advisory note has been developed in
conjunction with ourselves, the FSA, the Primary Care Trust and the
Health Protection Agency. This has been supplied to the
allotment holders and can be downloaded from this page.
An application to the Environment Agency to fund the remediation
of the allotments has been successful and contractors will carry
out the works in October.
We have advised the allotment holders and residents and issued
an advice
leaflet.
Phase 3: Pleasant View Allotments
The Pleasant View Allotments are close to where the original
landfill was about 100m from where the incinerator was located. The
results have identified elevated contaminants such as benz (a)
pyrene and lead. Analysis of the eggs have also identified the
presence of dioxins and lead.
An advisory note has been developed in consultation with the FSA
and HPA and can be downloaded from this page. It offers advice
on how the allotment users can continue using their plots safely.
Further sampling of the soils and produce grown on the site will be
undertaken before any decision is made on what works, if any, are
necessary to make sure the site is safe to use as allotments. We
have kept the allotments holders up to date with the situation and
they are cooperating with the investigation.