A REVIEW of plans for more than 600 homes at a golf course in Coventry has revealed concerns about ‘potentially dangerous contamination’.
A report has been submitted to Coventry City Council outlining the need for a more forensic environmental assessment of former green belt land at the Windmill Hotel and Golf course in Allesley Green.
The report – on behalf of potential developers – is prepared to assess whether works should be undertaken before an application is submitted.
A preliminary assessment suggested that a large number of dangerous contaminates could be present and recommended more in-depth soil sampling.
Contaminants such as asbestos, heavy metals, cyanide, nitrates and domestic waste linger underneath the surface of the golf course.
Senior planner on the council Tracy Miller also says there are concerns about unexploded Second World War bombs.
The screening report by consultant firm Parsons Bickerhoff on behalf of developers Bracebridge Holdings Ltd states: “PB considers the site to be located in a moderate to high sensitivity environmental setting with a moderate likelihood of contamination being present.
“The main potential sources of contamination identified at the site include made/reworked ground of the golf course and the presence of the unknown materials stockpile.
“The nature of the material is unknown and organic materials could generate methane and carbon dioxide during degradation.”
The report recommends a series of closer assessments including a soil gas monitoring regime and a shallow intrusive soil investigation.
These have not yet been carried out.
Peter Maddock is a nearby resident and opponent of the council’s Local Plan which claims to outline the need for more than 42,400 homes in and around the city by 2031.
The Windmill site would be part of the wider plans for a potential 3,495 homes in Eastern Green, with 2,650 to be built by developer Hallam Land Management Ltd.
Mr Maddock said: “The preliminary report was commissioned by the prospective developers and can hardly be defined as neutral.
“The following contaminates cannot objectively be seen as of moderate concern as they are all particularly harmful to both humans and wildlife.
“If such contaminants are found to be present they will need to be removed from locations that are in close proximity to existing homes in Allesley Green – if they remain they will almost certainly pose a health risk to those occupying new properties.”
Senior planner from developers Framptons Debbie Jones said: “Any planning application submission on the site will be accompanied by technical information relating to the ground conditions of the site which will include contaminated land investigation, risk assessment and (if required) remediation work to render the site suitable for the proposed use.”
She added a public meeting would be held as part of any planning application process.
Ms Miller said: “A Phase One report has been submitted which recommends shallow intrusive ground testing across the site and limited ground gas testing. If the limited soil gas monitoring regime shows the presence of methane or high levels of carbon dioxide, a full gas monitoring regime should be carried out with at least six visits, two of which should be during periods of low or falling pressure.”
