UK Soil Contamination: Live Updates as Residents, Councils Grapple With Pollution Hotspots
- SSUK Editorial
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Soil contamination is common across the United Kingdom. It stems from a variety of sources, including our industrial past and historical mining activity as well as deposits of substances in often-toxic concentrations from paint containing lead, exhaust fumes near high-traffic areas, ash used as a soil conditioner and many many more.
We track news of these stories across the UK as they’re published below - the links should take you to the story in full. We often follow up with local councillors in the area to offer help in testing soil for some of the toxic compounds mentioned.
To order a soil test from us, please do so here, where we list the various packages on offer or get in touch with any questions - we’ll be happy to help - at contact@safesoil.co.uk.
Roughlands Crescent, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland (08/05/25)
"My council house was killing my kids" Mum's horror as sons 'poisoned' with toxic lead: A mum claims her council house was "slowly killing" her young sons after they were exposed to toxic levels of lead that left them sick and fighting for their health. Joanne Skinner, 39, was living in her council home on Roughlands Crescent in Falkirk when she noticed her boys Blake,5, and Kaleb ,4, started regularly becoming ill shortly after a new heating system was installed in 2022. Following months of GP appointments trying to get to the bottom of their poor health, a chance test revealed that Kaleb had extremely high levels of lead in his bloodstream. Doctors then tested Blake, who was found to have even higher levels of the toxic chemical, confirmed in medical records seen by the Record.
Snodland, Kent, England (07/05/25)
Plans for 150 homes and conference centre on former Kent golf course and landfill spark pollution fears: Campaigners have raised fears of "contamination and particulates" being released into the air and water if plans a Kent development right next to a disused landfill go ahead. Developers stress that research shows the site near Snodland is safe to build on, and "it is factually incorrect to suggest potential groundwater contamination," but that has not reassured those opposed to the scheme.
Cooke’s playing fields, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales (30/04/25)
Plans approved for allotments at former explosives site: A disused recreation area beside a famous former explosives site will become a community allotment and picnicking space, despite contaminated land concerns. Gwynedd planners unanimously approved with conditions an application to site a food truck, public toilets and picnic benches at the disused Cooke’s playing fields at Penrhyndeudraeth. The proposal includes the retention of hard standing for car parking, an access track and the erection of 20 allotment sheds.
Old Town Landfill, Sears Road, Swansea, Wales (28/04/25)
Swansea plans to clean up its former landfill to stop environment damage: The old town landfill that operated in the 1970s until 1981, and was inactive by 1983, hardly resembles a trash heap these days. But some waste remains that could pose an environmental hazard to the surrounding wetlands. The 22-acre area along Sears Road is privately owned by Paul LaFlamme and his wife, Michelle. The footprint of the former landfill spills over onto town-owned land. According to earlier reports from 2013, it was discovered that the dimensions of the former town landfill were wider than originally expected after test borings were made at 34 locations around the site. At the time, the LaFlammes, who were paying close to $20,000 in property taxes on “unusable” land, sought to reach an agreement with the town to cap the landfill with “contaminated soils.” It was last reported that the town was in the process of hiring its own consultants to review options and determine next steps in regard to capping the landfill and creating a barrier between underground remnants of waste and the environment.
Hafod quarry, Johnstown, Wrexham, Wales (28/04/25)
Ministers reject calls to intervene over ‘foul’ stench from tip: Campaigners criticised Welsh ministers for rejecting calls to revoke a permit for a landfill site despite concerns about the “unbearable” stench plaguing people’s lives. More than 1,100 people signed a Senedd petition which warned of an overpowering smell from the landfill site at the former Hafod quarry in Johnstown, Wrexham.
Various sites, England (26/04/25)
Over 100 potentially toxic former dump sites have flooded since 2000: More than 100 old landfills across England containing potentially hazardous material have flooded at least once this century, according to analysis by Unearthed. Historic landfills can contain dangerous substances such as heavy metals, persistent pollutants, pharmaceuticals and industrial waste. They often lack measures such as linings that limit the risks of these pollutants affecting the surrounding environment. Unearthed also found over 2,600 former dump sites with potentially hazardous contents within 50m of watercourses across England.
Bath Riverside, Somerset, England (17/04/25)
Smells from old gas works spark health and safety concerns: Nine hundred new homes will be built along with a riverside park at the Bath Western Riverside Phase 2 site. The brownfield site is owned by Bath & North East Somerset and developer Berkeley Homes, and contractors have begun land remediation. Bath residents have been complaining of an “acrid and bitumen-like smell”. One told the Bath Echo: “This problem appears to coincide with the start of excavations to remove polluted soil from the southern part of the former Bath Gas Light and Coke company site by the Windsor Bridge.”
Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, England (11/04/25)
Asbestos removal work at Cleveland Centre poses no danger to the public: Middlesbrough Council have confirmed that ongoing asbestos removal from the Cleveland Centre poses no danger to the public. The reassurance comes following concern being raised on social media regarding the indoor section of the car park that sits on the roof of the Cleveland Centre. The structure is currently inaccessible to members of the public, as a result of fencing erected around the building. Signs feature across the fencing and the building, with statements including: “Warning asbestos removal in progress” as well as “Respirators and protective clothing must be worn by all persons” and “No entry without permission”.
Roseworthy Hill, Connor Downs, Cornwall, England (14/04/25)
Cornwall planning proposal for green recycling centre causes stink locally: Plans for a wood and green waste recycling facility near a Cornish village have resulted in a huge wave of opposition in the area, with more than 120 people airing their concerns on Cornwall Council's online planning portal. The loss of countryside, smell, contamination of nearby waterways, noise, road safety and even arsenic poisoning are among the reasons cited by worried locals as to why they feel it should be refused. Residents from as far as Camborne and Hayle are expected to pack a meeting of Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council at the WI Hall, Turnpike Road, Connor Downs, on Monday (April 14) when councillors discuss the application by the Green Waste Company.
Park Road, Gateshead, England (08/04/25)
Gateshead Council depot “no longer fit for purpose” amid Storm Arwen repair backlog: Recent “asbestos incidents” at Gateshead Council’s Park Road depot further confirm the asset is “no longer fit for purpose”, councillors have been told. Damage to the Park Road depot roof during Storm Arwen, which wreaked devastation across the UK in late November 2021, led to a case of "asbestos contamination”, a recent council report and presentation have revealed.
Tollerton Airfield, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England (05/04/25)
Tollerton Airfield campaigners express concerns over 'radioactive' material where 1,600 homes could be built: Campaigners against the redevelopment of Tollerton Airfield say 1,600 homes shouldn't be built on the site because radioactive material from old planes has contaminated the land. Concerns were raised after campaigners found evidence that the ex-RAF base in Nottinghamshire had been used after the Second World War to dismantle hundreds of Lancaster Bombers and other aircraft that contained glow-in-the-dark dials made out of radium -226. Vistry, a developer for 1,600 new homes proposed at the site, has earmarked the airfield after Nottingham City Council sold the land in June 2022. An agreement was made that the airport and the amenities could remain there until planning permission was approved.
Longlevens, Gloucester, England (04/04/25)
Broken glass found in soil used for new Gloucester football pitches sparks safety fears: There are safety concerns after soil used to level the ground for two new football pitches was found to be contaminated with shards of glass. Gloucester City Council has been calling on Miller Homes to redo the green open space which is part of their housing development at Estcourt Close in Longlevens. The former Gloucester Academy site was redeveloped after plans to build up to 90 new homes were approved along with the provision of open space. The properties were built and sold but concerns have been raised over the safety of the green open space.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England (03/04/25)
Work begins at former depot in Suffolk town: Demolition and decontamination works have begun at a former depot in Bury St Edmunds. The work at Olding Road started after West Suffolk Council agreed in July 2024 to refurbish the baling shed and include a demolition and decontamination operation. A new recreational and community area is also planned for the former depot, and the warehouse section will be refurbished to support sustainable growth.
Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England (02/04/25)
Countdown to town cinema returning to its proper home: Abingdon's cinema is preparing to return to its permanent venue after it was forced to find a temporary home due to roof repairs. Abbey Cinema at Abbey Hall needed to close last year after unsafe concrete and asbestos was found in the hall's roof and it was given a temporary new home by the town council. Following the discoveries in the roof, the town council said the cinema could operate from the neighbouring Old Magistrates' Court in the adjoining Guildhall - on a temporary basis.
Thornton-Cleveleys, Wyre, England (01/04/25)
No ban on new housing after cancer-causing chemical found in ground: The government has refused to back a bid by Wyre Council to prevent any more new homes being given the go-ahead in an area with heightened levels of a cancer-causing chemical. The authority had asked for support from ministers to introduce the temporary block until an investigation into potential land contamination close to the former ICI factory in Thornton-Cleveleys was completed.
Thornton-Cleveleys, Wyre, England (27/03/25)
No ban on new homes near 'cancer risk' contamination site in Thornton-Cleveleys: The government has refused to back a bid by Wyre Council to prevent any more new homes being given the go-ahead in an area with heightened levels of a cancer-causing chemical. The authority had asked for support from ministers to introduce the temporary block until an investigation into potential land contamination close to the former ICI factory in Thornton-Cleveleys was completed. However, the council has been told that it has all of the necessary powers to deal with the issue under existing planning legislation – prompting its leader to accuse the government of caring more about new housing numbers.
Ynysddu, Caerphilly, Wales (28/03/25)
Quarry in waste row could yet be classed as ‘contaminated land’:
Land at Ty Llwyd quarry could yet be classed as “contaminated” because of chemicals reportedly dumped there decades ago. Caerphilly County Borough Council has reportedly made a draft assessment that the site falls short of meeting a legal definition of contaminated land.
Various Locations, United Kingdom (13/03/25)
Thousands of high-risk toxic sites unchecked due to lack of cash: Thousands of sites potentially contaminated with toxic chemicals in Britain have never been checked by councils, a BBC investigation has found. Nine out of 10 "high-risk" areas have not been tested by councils responding to a BBC Freedom of Information request and scientists fear they could pose a health risk as they are thought to contain substances such as lead or arsenic. The BBC Shared Data Unit found of 13,093 potentially toxic sites that councils have identified as high risk, only 1,465 have been inspected.
Various Locations, United Kingdom (13/03/25)
What to do if you live near a toxic site as thousands found to be unmonitored: Thousands of sites that may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals have never undergone required tests by councils, an investigation has revealed. The BBC Shared Data Unit found through Freedom of Information requests that around 90 per cent of “high-risk” sites – 11,628 of 13,093 – had not been inspected.
Cardiff, Wales (13/03/25)
Unchecked 'toxic' land may have left Welsh star's child 'seriously ill’: An investigation by BBC Wales Investigates discovered that across the UK there are potentially thousands of areas contaminated with toxic chemicals. The daughter of the Welsh musician and actor Huw Chiswell, and her family believe she became seriously ill as a child because of contaminated land at their home in Cardiff.
Various Locations, Scotland (13/03/25)
At least 5,000 most high-risk toxic sites untested by Scottish councils: There are at least 4,909 most high-risk toxic sites across Scotland, potentially exposing people nearby to health risks. Scottish councils have left 93% of potentially contaminated land considered to be at the worst level untested and uninspected. The lack of inspections could be leaving thousands at risk from serious contaminants including lead, arsenic and asbestos, according to experts.
Wealdstone South, Harrow, North London (02/03/25)
North London Council to spend £350k clearing 'industrial scale' fly-tipping from development site: Harrow Council faces a £348,000 bill to clear tonnes of illegally dumped waste from land earmarked for housing development in Wealdstone South. The council-owned site, formerly used for parking special needs minibuses until 2023, has become a magnet for fly-tippers despite plans to build 149 new homes on the plot known as Byron Quarter.
South Tyrone, Northern Ireland (27/02/25)
Illegal dumping poses ‘alarming’ risk to public health: South Tyrone has emerged as a significant waste crime hotspot in Northern Ireland, according to government data released under Freedom of Information laws.