Families fear for health over housing plans which mean digging up century-old Edinburgh waste

Homes set to be built on contaminated land

FAMILIES fear for their health after being told toxic land next to their homes will be dug up to build new houses.

Residents near the 100-year-old waste dump in Livingston have been warned they will have to stay indoors and keep their windows closed while lorryloads of contaminated materials are taken away.

Despite proposals for the site being rejected several times before, a Scottish Government planning reporter has said he is minded to approve a development of 18 houses by Cruden Homes on three acres of land next to Tarbert Drive, Murieston.

Families have been warned by the Scottish Government planning reporter they should stay inside and close their windows during removal of the waste

Thousands of tonnes of century-old waste ash will have to be trucked past existing homes once preparation works get under way.

And a total of 125 trees are due to be removed from what is recognised as ancient woodland.

But residents are mounting a campaign to try and call a last-minute halt to the plans.

Amie Baxendale, who has a three-year-old son and a new baby due in September, said: "There hasn't been any health impact assessment report so nobody knows the impact the contaminated materials are going to cause and we are extremely concerned about what harm it could potentially cause to ourselves and our children on a long-term basis.

The site for the new homes is next to the wooded Murieston Trail which is popular with cyclists, dog walkers, children and others

"The builders who are excavating the site are going to be given PPE and we're told to keep our doors and our windows closed and limit use of gardens and wash our hands and feet before going into the house, obviously there is something in the soil they are concerned about.

"If we're having to lock down our homes and not go outside then it's for a reason."

"We're on a lovely quiet cul-de-sac and it's a safe haven for children to run around and play, learn to cycle.

"A lot of people come here because it's a beautiful area to walk their dogs, bring the children, there are lovely rivers and it's part of ancient wood.

The site was used between 1907 and 1912 as a dump for the ash created by the incineration of Edinburgh's domestic waste at the Powderhall Destructor.

The ash was taken by train to Murieston and buried. The land is also said to have been used as a disposal site for incinerated offal from slaughterhouses and animal remains from veterinary hospitals.

Latest tests have identified six contaminants which are classed as a hazard to health, including arsenic.

And concerns were raised some years ago that anthrax could be present on the site.

Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, who has opposed plans for the site for many years, said: "The old district council carried out anthrax tests on samples way back in the 1990s and these samples were sent to Porton Down, the chemical warfare place. Nothing was established but that concern persisted."

A previous proposal by Cala for 16 homes on the site was refused by the council and then again on appeal in 2009.

The current scheme was recommended by planners for approval but councillors voted to reject it again, prompting the appeal by Cruden.

Residents were shocked that the reporter came down on Cruden's side. They say nothing has changed in the past decade and do not understand why the decision should go the other way this time.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said: "I was absolutely astounded by the reporter's decision.

This site literally backs on to people's back gardens. How would you feel if you lived there? I think when a local authority makes a decision on a planning matter that should be it. That's what local democracy is all about."

Almond Valley SNP MSP Angela Constance is backing the residents' calls for a rethink.

She said: “I have written to the Planning Minister to outline the breadth and depth of local concerns and as a matter of urgency have asked him to consider what further action can be taken at this late stage.

"There are long-standing and grave concerns about the development of this contaminated site, indeed the local authority have repeatedly refused planning permission as have reporters on two previous occasions.

"This change of heart from the reporter means that soil contaminated with metals will have to be removed all for the sake of a mere 18 houses. There are clear and understandable worries about the impact on public health and I will continue to represent and support residents."

A spokesman for Cruden Homes (East) said the site had been extensively investigated by experts, the company's plans for dealing with the contamination had satisfied council officials and regulators such as SEPA, NHS Lothian and the Health and Safety Executive had raised no objections.

Despite claims there could be 1,000 lorry loads of contaminated material, the removal of the ash would involve an estimated 53 lorry loads and take about four days.

He said the risk of anthrax was "extremely low".

And he said although the reporter had advised people to stay indoors the company did not believe that would be necessary.

“Residents will be informed in advance when this removal will take place. Unless residents directly access the site, which will be hoarded, there is no risk to them of contaminated materials.

“Ultimately development will transform a partially contaminated environment into a positive living habitat with strong amenity value and design quality.”

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