Hauxton - Most Polluted Site in Britain?

11 February 2011, 15:00 | Updated: 21 February 2011, 14:47

A brown-field building site at Hauxton, being cleaned up for 420 new home, has been dubbed possibly the most polluted site in Britain.


The Countryside Restoration Trust (the CRT), claims there's been 688 complaints over odours and illness caused by the former Bayer Crop Science testing site, since decontamination work began in March last year.

The clean-up's expected to be completed later this year.

The CRT say they're worried that wind, when it blows from the east, odours from the site are blown over Lark Rise Farm, where the CRT are currently growing food crops and where wildlife is being encouraged.

Martin Carter told heart "We are extremely worried about what is going on here. The work is not tented; it is being carried out in the ope, not only are we worried for the crops and wildlife on Lark Rise Farm, we are also concerned for visitors to the farm and for the welfare for all the people who live near the site. The odours from it are very unpleasant."

Robin Page, chairman of the CRT claims 688 complaints have been made concerning odours and illness by South Cambs District Council (SCDC) has refused to declare a "statutory nuisance".

An SCDC spokesperson said: "If anyone wishes to make a complaint, we would ask they contact the Environment Agency's hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Complaint information will then be passed to our environmental health team to carry out any investigations.

"In the past week there has been one complaint about odour. Activities have reduced on site significantly as the movement and turning of treatment beds had ceased over the winter due to the cold and wet weather conditions."