Approval of homes next to 'toxic cocktail' former brickworks site

DOZENS of homes have been approved next to a former dumping site for hazardous waste in Ilkeston following thorough assurances over investigations into contamination.

- 

At an Erewash Borough Council meeting, councillors approved plans from Waterville Land Ltd for 82 homes next to the former Oakwell Brickworks in Derby Road.

The field used for the development was never formally part of the brickworks, the meeting heard, with the brickworks becoming a dumping ground for hazardous waste from Stanton Ironworks and British Steel. Part of the former brickworks site would be used for part of the scheme, but only for a flood water collection pond.

Councillors agreed to insist that boreholes and testing would be carried out on the pond location, as well as on further locations which had not been assessed on the homes closest to the former brickworks.

Officials report that boreholes on the housing site had not found any contamination at levels harmful to potential residents.

Residents had raised concerns about contamination, traffic, loss of hedges and open space, flooding and the density of the homes.