Contaminated land case study - South Hornchurch

Havering Council is planning to carry out tests to assess whether or not more than 800 homes on the former Whybridge Farm, South Hornchurch are standing on contaminated land.

Over the last hundred years, the site has been used for a number of different purposes. The area was originally farmland until the early 1930s, when it was used for gravel extraction and landfilling, which continued until the 1960s. Its use changed again in 1967, when the land was levelled and the present housing estate built.

The council investigations have been prompted by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Part IIA, which requires local authorities to investigate land within their boundaries to determine whether it's contaminated. Records indicate that industrial waste was dumped in the landfill pits but the council has no specific details, because at the time no licence was required. A council spokesman commented however: "The type of waste was not simple inert waste but may have been potentially higher risk".

The council is writing to every household within 250 metres of the former landfill site to inform residents about the work. Initial inspections are due to begin in August 2006 with soil samples being taken and results should be available in January 2007. This marks the beginning of a potentially long drawn out process for residents, who have already been warned that the value and saleability of their homes may be affected, until the investigation and any remedial works deemed necessary are completed.

Hornchurch MP James Brokenshire said: "This will come as a huge shock to people living in this area. I am particularly concerned that the investigations will make it very difficult for people to sell their homes until this issue is resolved."

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