‘It’s a toxic timebomb’: Villagers near ‘England’s most contaminated’ waste dumps say they are suffering with headaches, seizures, dizziness and sore eyes since bulldozers started clearing site for 630 new homes
- Plans to build 630 new homes near three old dump sites have enraged locals
Villagers living near old toxic waste dumps dubbed ‘the most contaminated in England’ claim ground investigations work into a new housing development has left them suffering with stroke-like symptoms.
Plans to build 630 new homes near three dump sites in Somercotes, Derbyshire, have been approved despite fierce opposition.
The development lies on the site of a former quarry and coal mine which was turned into a dump to bury hundreds of thousands of tonnes of industrial waste in the 1960s and 70s.
Since the bulldozers started clearing the site several months ago, some residents claim they have been struck down with mystery illnesses.
Grandmother Hannah Tomlinson was rushed to hospital after suffering stroke-like symptoms while an elderly man collapsed with a seizure.
Plans to build 630 new homes near three dump sites in Somercotes, Derbyshire, have been approved despite fierce opposition
Hannah Tomlinson, 53, and Allan Smith, 67, are two local residents who claim to have been affected by the new developments
Mrs Tomlinson claims that since the activity began she has has skin complaints on her hands
Ground investigations work has now started on the land near to Thurston Avenue, where homes are due to be built
Others have complained of blistering skin and rashes spreading over the legs and arms.
READ MORE: Britain’s TOXIC housing estates: How hundreds of homes are being built on top of ‘lethal’ landfill sites
Another resident, whose garden backs onto the site, says their cat collapsed and died shortly after the bulldozers moved in.
Hannah, 53, has lived in the area with her husband Steve for more than 20 years.
She said: ‘If it [my ill health] continues, we’ll probably have to move.
‘I can’t live being rushed in and out of hospital and family not wanting to come, because of what could be there.
‘It was the weekend before Easter that I got ill.
‘I had a headache and neck pain and I was really lethargic. Then I had slurred speech and started having uncontrollable shakes in my hand.
‘I went to A&E and I had tests and scans and I was in for nine days.
‘I was put on antibiotics as my white blood cells were raised which indicates infection.
‘I went home and it started again and then I got pains in my eyes. I went back to hospital and I had tests and that came back with high blood cells.
‘The doctors advised me to wear a mask if I went outside.
‘Since the developers moved onto the site I’ve had headaches, neck pain, shakes, dizziness and I’m tired all the time.
‘I believe what is to blame is what is coming out of the fields.’
A tranquil Derbyshire village built next to a former landfill has ‘become toxic’ after work began to build new homes in the area (Pictured: Fields where the former quarry and landfill once stood)
Mrs Tomlinson claims that she probably have to move if her ill health doesn’t improve
The former quarry site has been dubbed ‘the most contaminated in England’
The plans to develop the part of Amber Valley Rugby Club (pictured) where given the green light by councillors during a heated meeting in November 2022
Hannah’s neighbour Allan Smith, 67, said: ‘It’s a toxic timebomb. I know a lot of people have been saying they’ve sore eyes and itchy eyes.’
A ‘toxic’ timeline of events in Somercotes
1960s – Waste is dumped at Somercotes site named LS01 (Somercotes), LS41 (Amber Valley Rugby Club) and L0M (north-east of Somercotes).
1968 – Explosion at Coalite chemical works in nearby Bolsover leaves 79 with chloracne cysts.
1973 – Derbyshire County Council allows Cambro Contractors Ltd to dump industrial waste at Somercotes.
1974 – Control of Pollution Act brought into law.
1980 – LS01 and L0M closes.
1986 – LS41 closes.
2017 – Planning Inspectorate rejects appeal for 250 homes at Amber Valley Rugby Club site.
2019 – In August a whistleblower claims residents living nearby contracted forms of cancer.
2019 – Amber Valley Borough Council rejects plans for 99 homes due to the vicinity to a ‘toxic tip’.
2022 – Plans to build 200 homes are approved.
2023 – Residents report falling ill as developers begin work.
Another resident said: ‘An older gentleman went for a walk in the fields and when he came home he suffered a seizure.
‘The same man’s cat also collapsed and died after being let out. These things can’t just be coincidence.’
Parish councillor Jason Parker added: ‘I saw Hannah at her worse and she had numbness in her hands and she could hardly string a sentence together.
‘It’s absolute madness to build on these tips. They whole area is one of the most contaminated sites in the UK.’
Ground investigations by developers suggest there could be toxic substances and chemicals present in the soil.
Toxins detected include cancer-causing benzene, which is in crude oil, dodecane, used in nuclear fuel plants and tetradecane found in jet fuel.
Despite widespread opposition, Amber Valley District Council approved the development.
A council spokesperson said: ‘The health and safety of all residents in the borough remains paramount, so we are taking the complaints very seriously.
‘Our investigations of the proposed development sites, including contact with the developers, have confirmed that no construction work has taken place and that the only machinery on site to date has been specifically required for ground investigations.
‘The current works require the stripping back of the surface layer to inspect for any historic mine workings, including early bell pits and mine shafts. This is a strict condition of the planning application.
‘To date there has been nothing to suggest that there are soil contaminants present at levels that would be deemed unsafe for development.’
Avant Homes, which is one of three developers involved with the project, has permission to build 200 homes on a site off Birchwood Lane and 250 at nearby Amber Valley Rugby Club.
A spokesperson said: ‘Our proposed site at Somercotes is greenfield in nature and has no known landfill areas on it.
‘At its closest point, the site is also some 250 metres away from the nearest former landfill site, which is situated across a small valley.
The council has defended the new development on the doorstep of the community, arguing they have found ‘nothing to suggest that there are soil contaminants present at levels that would be deemed unsafe for development’
The Derbyshire villagers are not alone: This patch of land in Woodsetton, near Dudley, used to be a landfill but once that facility was closed, it was transformed into a green space, with woods, shrubs and paths used by locals and their children. Now it stands empty, having been torn apart to develop 72 homes
Meanwhile, the Cinderfield Northern Quarter scheme on a former coal field in the Forest of Dean was meant to deliver 195 homes but it has stalled amid claims evidence that the proposed site contained ‘40,000 tonnes of American toxic weapons’ buried there following the Second World War
‘To support our planning application, and because we are aware of the history of the area, we appointed professionally qualified independent consultants to carry out a thorough and detailed site investigation.
‘Soil testing confirmed the absence of any significant concentrations of organic or inorganic contamination on our site.’
Futures Housing Group plans to build 180 homes on the adjacent Stanley Street site.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry to hear that some people in Somercotes are having health problems and wish them well.
‘However, we do not believe that our development site at Stanley Street is connected with their ill health.
‘Extensive and expert investigations at the site as part of standard pre-development preparations have found no significant or unusual contamination.
‘This work has been done in line with all relevant standards. Our reports have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority.
‘If new evidence comes to light that directly connects any of the newly reported health problems to the Stanley Street site we will of course take all necessary steps to address the situation.’
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