Object

Representation ID: 4438

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Dr Matt Hill

This site has been unused for so long it has become a thriving informal nature reserve. Resident mammals include roe deer, badger, weasel and fox. Sparrowhawks nest annually, with woodcock and bullfinch among the numerous birds on site. The ancient trees provide roosts for several bat species.
The land is potentially contaminated by DDT, lindane, dieldrin and other hazardous organochlorine pesticides, from wool processed in Dole and Prospect Mills in the 20th century when sheep were protected from pests using them. These poisons could be liberated and people exposed to unsafe levels during any construction process. If decontamination is unsuccessful, future residents could be similarly exposed. The mill reservoir on site adjacent to Thornton Road was filled in with unrecorded waste material, so offers potential further threats to health.
This site would be better used as a protected, formal local nature reserve, leaving any health risk locked in the soil.