2024
December 2024
A survey on the future use of the 18 acres of council-owned land is published and will be open for comments until Sunday 16 February 2025.
March 2024
Work has been organised in consultation with ecologists to ensure badger setts and other wildlife habitats are safeguarded, while the necessary approvals have been sought by Historic England.
It is the latest significant step for the site ahead of a public consultation about its future later this year.
February 2024
Hoarding surrounding the site is to be removed and replaced with a stock fence (wire mesh stretched between wooden posts) following a a decision by the Leader.
The fence is necessary to restrict access to the former landfill site where there is known contamination in the ground from its previous use. The hoarding boards are being transferred to Otterpool Park where they will be reused to secure currently vacant buildings. They will be further used when construction work begins on the garden town.
A decision over the future of the site is due to be made after public consultation later in the year. Potential uses will be informed by the public’s views together with the advice received from the council’s contaminated land consultant.
Further soil investigation and remediation works would be required to safeguard users if the preferred option includes open public access to parts of the site.
During the hoarding removal and fencing installation council officers and contractors will be working alongside an ecologist to ensure the badger setts and other wildlife habitats are safeguarded.
Consent for the work is also being obtained through Historic England as work at the northern boundary of the site is close to The Royal Military Canal, classified as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.