Rushcliffe Borough Council(RBC) has allayed residents’ concern on possible contamination at Tollerton Park, close to Tollerton Airfield.
Current planning applications are pending on the airfield site, awaiting a masterplan from site owners Vistry Group.
A Council spokesperson said: “The Council is aware of the previous uses of the wider site, including the airfield and the potential for land contamination associated with these uses.
“Both current applications for the site include initial land contamination assessments. If permission is granted, planning conditions will be imposed requiring further investigation and assessment of potential land contamination matters, including potential radioactive contamination so as to ensure the land is suitable for the proposed use.
“This further investigation and assessment must be carried out in accordance with the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) Framework and underpinning good practice guidance. The Council will continue to liaise with other agencies including the Environment Agency and the radiation team at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).”
The adjacent Tollerton Park is not part of the proposed development site. However, as the Council is aware that media coverage has raised concerns amongst residents, officers have sent correspondence in recent days to over 40 residents based at the mobile home park site. It outlines a 2008 investigation, available to view at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/tollertonairfield
At that time the Council undertook a comprehensive assessment working with other agencies, including the Health Protection Agency, Public Health and the Environment Agency. The assessment included a detailed consideration of the history of the Tollerton Park site, which was used to inform further investigation, including a radiation survey and soil and drinking water sampling.
This approach followed good practice guidance on assessing risks posed by potential land contamination.
As further development has taken place at Tollerton Park, RBC recently undertook a review and is satisfied the previous findings remain valid.
