Fear at plans for homes on former Aldborough Hatch landfill

Land at Billet Road, on the border with Barking and Dagenham, was taken off the green belt register four years ago and earmarked for “around 800” homes.

However, its use as a landfill in the 1970s has left a range of unknown “industrial, domestic and potentially clinical wastes” underground with “elevated concentrations” of toxins.

Images from planning documents submitted by Bellway show what was found when soil samples were taken. Image: Bellway

Laboratory analyses of 43 soil and ground samples found potentially cancerous chemicals, as well as asbestos and lead.

An application submitted by landowner and developer Bellway sets out a plan to stabilise the land for construction using “rapid compaction techniques”, then adding a “capping layer” of up to 6 metres of soil.

Potentially dangerous landfill materials would be contained with an “inground barrier” and vertical drains to stop hazardous fluids from seeping into the surrounding soil.

Images from planning documents submitted by Bellway show what was found when soil samples were taken. Image: Bellway

A “membrane layer” will also be added to stop gases from rising above the ground.

Vanessa Cole, 66, chair of local residents’ group Aldborough Hatch Defence Association (AHDA), compared “rapid compaction” to cutting an overfilled sandwich, and said some residents fear pollution will spill out.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “They’ve done those soil tests without any pressing down on it… so when they do press down on it what’s going to come out into the containers and filters, and how much of it?

Images from planning documents submitted by Bellway show what was found when soil samples were taken. Image: Bellway

“I could find no details in the application of how they are going to monitor it and whether it is going to be monitored 24/7.

“If you’ve got this pressure on top of a layer of crap, it ain’t going to stop oozing out because you’ve clocked off for the evening, is it?”

A report on the appearance of the soil when holes were dug for sampling describes “strong hydrocarbon odours” and decomposed organic matter.

However, while planning documents estimate that “approximately 10% of arisings” from the ground would be hazardous, excavating and treating soils would not be “feasible or cost-effective”.

Covering the ground with metres of extra soil is expected to require 60 to 100 lorries a day visiting the site.

Vanessa, a former Conservative councillor for Aldborough, said former landowner Redbridge Council licensed a “now-defunct” company to use it as landfill in the 1960s and 70s.

Images from planning documents submitted by Bellway show what was found when soil samples were taken. Image: Bellway

She added: “Asbestos, white goods, you name it, it probably went in there, as well as household rubbish.

“Bellway’s own geological and environment report states there’s arsenic, copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium – which is the Erin Brockovich stuff – as well as everything else.”

A spokesperson for Redbridge declined to comment directly on the plans, but confirmed that it owns nearby land that could be developed.

Discoloured water in a ditch close to the site. Image: Bellway

The council has also been asked to confirm what environmental or safety responsibilities it has but had not responded at the time of publication.

Vanessa said AHDA members are not against developing the site but want “peace of mind” that it won’t become a “toxic nightmare”.

She added: “If I go to the dentist for a rotten tooth, they don’t put a filling over top of it, they take out the rot and then redo it.”

Images from planning documents submitted by Bellway show what was found when soil samples were taken. Image: Bellway

Moazzem Hossain, whose Marks Gate home directly adjoins the site, said he represents more than 40 Barking and Dagenham residents who are also worried about the plans.

He said: “I don’t know how they are going to protect us… there are many issues we’re not sure about.

“This is not a normal development project, this is contaminated land which was unregulated – nobody knows what is in there.”

Conservative group leader for Redbridge Cllr Paul Canal said he is “deeply concerned” about the plans, which he called a “toxic timebomb”.

He added: “Contaminated land is just that – contaminated – and the report admits that risks can only be reduced, not eliminated.

“Landfill sites, especially old sites where controls were minimal or absent, should not be used for housing, especially housing for vulnerable or marginalised groups.

“That the application has got this fair is deeply concerning. Someone in planning has dropped the ball and put the public at risk.”

Bellway has been repeatedly contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.

Vanessa said that despite residents’ concerns none of her local councillors have attended their meetings, although one councillor from neighbouring Barking and Dagenham did.

Ward councillors John Howard, Jyotsna Islam and Lebo Phakoe have not responded to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for Barking and Dagenham Council confirmed that they have written to Redbridge Council about Bellway’s plans but declined to reveal their comments.

Members of public can comment on the application until December 14, though Redbridge council’s website by searching planning reference 3376/22.