UK Soil Contamination: Live Updates as Residents and Councils Grapple With Pollution Hotspots
- SSUK Editorial
- May 13
- 14 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
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.
Alderley Edge, Cheshire, England (21/08/25)
Decision on plans to replace builder's merchants and car wash with care home delayed: Members of the Northern Planning Committee have voted to defer on making a decision regarding plans for a new care home on the site of a builders' merchant and car wash due to concerns over whether there really is a need… However, committee members agreed to defer the application to a later date to allow concerns over the proven need, the layout being too uniformed (ie no rooms to accommodate a couple), contaminated land and insufficient parking be assessed further.
Quayside West, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England (20/08/25)
The 'spectacular' vision for derelict wasteland near Newcastle Quayside after £120m boost: A £120 million cash injection to kickstart a revamp of one of the most prominent pieces of derelict land in the North East has been hailed as “the beginning of something huge”. The Government announced on Tuesday that it had signed off on a huge public funding package for the Quayside West development near Newcastle city centre. That money will pay for the remediation of contaminated land on what was previously the home of the Calders leadworks, but has long been a disused wasteland seen every day by thousands of people crossing the Tyne by road or rail. 1,100 homes are planned for the area, which is next to the Utilita Arena, though leaders have cautioned that the regeneration works could take 15 years to complete.
Cleckheaton, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England (17/08/25)
Labour council accused of ignoring toxic asbestos danger to residents from housing development: Residents in a former industrial town in Kirklees, West Yorkshire are uniting to challenge apparent council negligence amid a new private housebuilding project. They argue that the council has failed to protect local people’s health and safety at a site with historic toxic contamination, including from asbestos.
Hythe, Kent, England (16/08/25)
Controversial Princes Parade saga latest as Hythe site 'to be left as it is’: A controversial site is set to remain 'as it is' after the council confirmed there will be 'no further activity'. The subject of developing Princes Parade, an 18-acre site between Seabrook and Hythe, has been vividly debated by local residents for more than 15 years. Princes Parade is a coastal stretch of land in Hythe, Kent, nestled between the beach and the Royal Military Canal. Plans for 150 homes, a leisure centre and hotel on the land were dropped by Folkestone and Hythe District Council in 2023. Fencing is in place to ensure ongoing site security and public safety from the contaminated land, the council said.
Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, England (14/08/25)
Developer admits ‘not aware’ of former asbestos factory on Cleckheaton housing site: Strata Homes has admitted it was unaware an asbestos factory had once sat on the site where they are currently building 180 homes in Cleckheaton. When planning permission was granted for the construction of 180 properties on the site off Westgate in 2023, it was known that parts of the site were contaminated with asbestos, with a remediation strategy drawn up to address this. However, it has since emerged that part of the site was once home to an asbestos factory, with no mention of this during the planning process.
Various locations, United Kingdom (13/08/25)
Millions of litres of oil seeping into UK soil from ageing electricity cables: Electricity companies are leaking millions of litres of oil underground throughout the UK, the Guardian can reveal. In the past 15 years, 3m litres (660,000 gallons) of oil has been spilt under southern England from cables owned by the electricity distribution company UK Power Networks. But leaks are occurring UK-wide; the largest single leak reported in recent years was in Edinburgh, when 24,000 litres was spilt from a ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN) cable.
Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, England (22/07/25)
Vegetables grown near chemical plant found to contain carcinogenic ‘forever chemical’: Vegetables grown in an allotment near a Lancashire chemical plant have been found to contain elevated levels of PFOA, a carcinogenic forever chemical, with the soil samples in residential gardens also confirmed to contain elevated levels of the chemical.
Corby, Northamptonshire, England (11/07/25)
Corby whistleblower says toxic waste dumped at five sites as fears mount over wider contamination: A former contractor who loaded waste onto lorries from Corby’s former steelworks has claimed that toxic material was knowingly dumped around the town. Despite the local council acknowledging just one official dumping ground in Corby, a whistleblower who worked clearing the steelworks site has claimed there were “at least four or five hotspots in Corby” where toxic waste was dumped.
Tollerton, Nottingham, England (08/07/25)
Residents should be consulted on airport toxic waste report, says Labour: There’s a call for the full report into the extent of toxic waste at the site adjacent controversial proposed housing development at Nottingham City Airport ( Tollerton ) to be made available to residents directly affected. There’s concern that the area – part of plans for 4,000 new homes – will be built on land contaminated with disused aviation oil and industrial waste – including radium, a radio-active material historically used in luminous paint for aircraft dials.
Havering, London, England (18/06/25)
Havering mums win legal victory against council over landfill fires at Launders Lane: A group of residents has won a battle against the local council after continuous fires on a patch of land in east London. Mums in Havering came together to protest at Launders Lane not being marked as contaminated land. The area has accumulated landfill over the last few years, and due to the combustible nature of the items catches fire in hot weather.
Bentham, Yorkshire, England (18/06/25)
Bentham in Yorkshire holds public meeting to raise awareness of extent of PFAS pollution: Multiple stakeholders gathered at a public meeting in Bentham, Yorkshire on Tuesday 17 June, to help explore and advise the community on ongoing concerns regarding pollution in the town from PFAS ‘forever chemicals’. In a surprising reversal, Angus Fire Limited, the company blamed by some residents for their ill-health owing to PFAS pollution, chose not to attend the public meeting, leaving residents frustrated by their absence.
Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, Merseyside, England (03/06/25)
Residents tell workers to stop amid fears over housing development: Residents are demanding to know how much danger they're in after plans were approved for an 800 home housing development on partially contaminated land. The site is just near Cherryfield Drive and Whinberry Drive in Kirkby where initial soil analysis identified the presence of asbestos.
Heath Hill Avenue, Brighton, Sussex, England (31/05/25)
Disgust as bags of asbestos dumped on side of road: Bags of asbestos were dumped on the side of a road. Pictures show the bags left in Heath Hill Avenue, Brighton, on Wednesday, May 28. Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, urged people not to touch them and said he had escalated the report. People on social media said it was “disgusting” and “dangerous”.
Crossford, West Fife, Scotland (24/05/25)
Asbestos fears at Crossford Sycamore Gardens site: Tests are being conducted amid asbestos fears at a Crossford building site. Yesterday (May 23) the Press reported that residents have been suffering from “unbearable” dust pollution due to construction works taking place between the village and Cairneyhill. The £25 million project will see Barratt Homes deliver more than 200 houses. Concerns around asbestos were raised by residents after a fractured pipe was found on site.
Sheffield, England (21/05/25)
Sheffield's hidden legacy — A toxic threat beneath our feet? An investigation has found a potentially hazardous legacy lurking beneath our feet. Analysis by Unearthed reveals that over 100 old landfill sites across England, some containing a cocktail of dangerous substances from heavy metals to persistent pollutants, have flooded at least once this century. Over 2,600 dump sites lie within 50 metres of watercourses.
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.
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