Contaminated Land Part 2A

Blackborough End

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a quarry that was potentially used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed that the quarry has not been landfilled and is used as a personal nature reserve, fishing lakes and shooting area.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Blackborough End contaminated land inspection report

Broadend Road brickyard

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's an old brick and tile works. Part of the site was a refuse tip.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The site appears to have been excavated for brickmaking clay and then backfilled with waste material. The investigation showed that the site is not occupied at present and that there is no hazardous material visible at the site surface. The backfill material is assumed to be inert in nature.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Broadend Road contaminated land inspection report

Crimplesham Pit

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a quarry that has been used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The landfill is being backfilled with inert material in accordance with the site’s environmental permit.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Inspection Report
• appendices one
• appendices two

Chalkpit Road, Titchwell

Research was recently carried out by the Environmental Quality Team to gather information and carry out a strategic inspection of a site at Chalkpit Road, Titchwell.

The site is a former Chalk pit, reported anecdotally to have been in use since roman times, but seen from the beginning of our records. The site has previously been used as a landfill in the 1950s, however area underwent restoration attempts with larger waste items being removed in the 1970s. The site is currently heavily vegetated and described as a mini-reserve Very low to low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams and in the ground. The investigation found that the site is not considered to represent a potential risk to human health and the environment under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and will not be prioritised for further detailed inspection at this time.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Chalkpit Road, Titchwell Inspection Report

Chequers Close

We carried out a Part 2A inspection for this site in response to a report from a member of the public who had concerns about their pet’s health because of potential soil contamination.

Samples were collected for laboratory analysis and compared to appropriate assessment criteria. There was no evidence of harm or of a significant possibility of significant harm to the receptors identified in the conceptual site model. As the risk posed is low or very low, the site would be classified as Category 4 as set out in the Statutory Guidance.

Therefore, the site is not considered to be contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Chequers Close Inspection Report
• Appendix B laboratory report
• Public Health fact sheet for contaminated land

Dersingham Pit

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a quarry that has been used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site, a site visit and correspondence with Norfolk County Council. The site has been investigated by Norfolk County Council’s closed landfill team. A report has shown that contamination leaching from the landfill is having an adverse effect on Dersingham Fen. There is no evidence that human health or grazing cattle are being harmed. Natural England and the county council are working together to mitigate the impact on water and the environment.

As action is being taken we will not designate the land as contaminated land. However, we will keep this site under review.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Dersingham Pit contaminated land inspection report

Docking Common

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a quarry that was used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed that the quarry was landfilled, and that the filling wasn’t controlled by a licence or permit. Investigation by Norfolk County Council in the area close to Docking Common has indicated that groundwater is not being adversely affected by pollution. There was no evidence of harm to human health or the wider environment.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Docking Common contaminated land inspection report

Downham Market former RAF site

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. It was an RAF base from 1942 to 1946. The area we needed to look at first (Zone C) is now homes and public open space. When the applications were made for planning permission and when the houses were built, there was not a formal way for recording much information about the historical use of the land. We have retrieved information from our files and from old maps and plans for this report.

The airfield site was dismantled so that the land could be returned to the previous owners for agricultural use. The site clearance in Zone C is assumed to have been overseen by the RAF with any hazardous materials removed from site. No ground contamination was reported during construction of the residential area and no visible signs of contamination were observed during the site walkover. The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• RAF DM Zone C Non-technical summary
• RAF DM Contaminated Land Inspection Report

East Winch Road

We carried out an inspection on this site. The site is a quarry and landfill.

As the landfill is controlled by an environmental permit and risks to human health and the environment are low, the site is not a priority for further detailed inspection.

The inspection found that the site is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• East Winch Road contaminated land strategic inspection report

Fairfield Road Refuse Tip and Sewage Works, Downham Market

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. In the past the land was part of Fairfield Road Refuse Tip and Sewage Works.

Historic Mapping Records show in 1939 the site was a Sewage Works with tanks on site. From 1946 as a refuse tip. The tip appears to have ceased by 1974. No other development is known on site and the site currently has grass cover with portions of the site raised up to 4m above ground level.

There was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment. The risk assessment has shown that there is a low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams and in the ground, and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Fairfield Road, Downham Market Contaminated Land Inspection Report (April 2022)
• Fairfield Road, Downham Market Non-Technical Summary (April 2022)

Feltwell Landfill

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a quarry that is being used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed that the former quarry is a landfill operated by Anti-Waste Limited under an environmental permit.

The investigation showed that site is regulated by the Environment Agency and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Feltwell Landfill contaminated land inspection report

Former Oil Fields, Lynn Road, Setchey

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. In the past the land was part of Setch Oil field before being filled and returned to grassland. The land is now used as a Church Meeting Hall.

A planning application was submitted in 2006 for the meeting hall. The application was supported by a report, investigating the history of the site and its ground conditions. We have retrieved the report and other information from old maps and plans for this contaminated land inspection report.

There was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment. The risk assessment has shown that there is a low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams and in the ground, and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Setchey, Former Oil Fields Non-technical summary
• Setchey, Former Oil Fields Contaminated Land Inspection Report

Gap Farm

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. It was a farm, grassland and a clay pit which was used as a landfill. The land is now homes and public open space.

The site was investigated before and during development for housing. The planning permission included conditions requiring actions to make the land suitable for housing. Investigations were carried out by the developer’s consultants and a remediation scheme agreed with the borough council and the Environment Agency. As part of the works, the landfill material was removed from the housing area and clean material was brought in for garden areas. When the works were complete, the regulators 'signed off' the scheme.

At the time of the housing development there was not a formal way for recording on the public record that the work required by the conditions on planning permission had been done. Therefore, much of the information relating to the contaminated land investigation is on the borough council’s archive files. We have retrieved the information for this report.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Gap Farm Non-technical summary
• Gap Farm Contaminated Land Inspection Report
• Gap Farm Appendix C

Gravel Hill

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. The land was used in the past to excavate oil shales.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site, a site visit and water sampling and laboratory analysis. A very low risk was identified for human health, controlled water and environmental receptors. The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below

• Gravel Hill contaminated land inspection report

Hardings Pits

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's an old landfill that is now public open space.

Our investigation used documents about the site, including earlier investigations and a site visit. Our investigation showed that the landfill has been re-profiled and is now Hardings Pits doorstep green. Adjacent land is a surface water storage area.

We found that there was not a significant risk to:

• people using the site
• volunteer maintenance workers
• people eating wild blackberries that grow on the site

The investigation showed that the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

To find out more please view the following documents:

• Contaminated land inspection report
• Additional risk assessment
• Appendix E part one
• Appendix E part two
• Appendix E part three

Heacham Brickworks (formerly)

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a clay pit and former brick works. The land is now partly a holiday caravan site and partly residential.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The brickworks was operated in the late 19th Century. We found no evidence that the clay pits had been landfilled and no visible evidence was found of brickmaking waste in residential gardens.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters, and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Heacham Brickworks contaminated land inspection report

Heacham Tip

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a chalk pit, part of which was used as a landfill. The land is now a household waste recycling depot, open space and a shooting ground for the 'Norfolk Wildfowlers' shooting club.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The landfill was operated by Docking Rural District Council in the 1950’s to 1990’s. The closed landfill team at Norfolk County Council have assessed the landfill and found that methane gas concentrations have reduced over time. A capping layer was placed across the fill.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Heacham Tip contaminated land inspection report

Hilgay Gas Works

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It was a small country house gasworks in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

An investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. We took samples of soil and sent them for laboratory analysis. The investigation showed that there isn’t a significant risk to human health and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Hilgay Gas Works contaminated land inspection report
• Detailed risk assessment

Hockwold-cum-Wilton

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a chalk pit that was used as a landfill.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed that the chalk pit was lined with inert waste material, comprising natural clay soils from a pipeline excavation. Planning permission was then granted which enabled the pit to be converted into a reservoir and fishing lake.

The investigation showed that there was no source of contamination and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Hockwold-cum-Wilton contaminated land inspection report

Holt House Lane

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. The site was a former quarry which was then used as a landfill between 1968-1989.

The waste material landfilled was inert and is assumed to be from mineral processes, waste from West Norfolk Fertilisers Company and builders waste. The land is now a semi-natural habitat.

The investigation found that risks to human health and the environment are low and the site is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Holt House Lane contaminated land strategic inspection report

Leziate Drove

We carried out an inspection on this site. The site is a former marshy area that was filled with inert waste.

The filing took place with permission from Norfolk County Council.

The inspection found that the site is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Leziate Drove contaminated land strategic inspection report

Lime Kiln Road Gayton

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. It was a chalk quarry and lime kiln in the 1800s and 1900s. A small part of the land was reported to have been filled in the past. We have retrieved information from our files and from old maps and plans for this draft report.

From the available evidence, limited sources of contamination were identified. Except for the filled area, most of the site appears to have been levelled with rubble from nearby. No signs of ground contamination were observed during the site walkover. The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Lime Kiln Gayton non-technical summary
• Lime Kiln Gayton Inspection Report

Manor Farm

We were involved in the response to a large fire at this illegal waste site. An assessment was carried out to see if there could be harm from the ash left from the fire. The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land. And it does not pose an immediate risk to human health, to water, property or the wider environment. A multi-agency group is deciding what will happen to the site in the future.

Further information

Copies of the investigation reports and some Frequently Asked Questions are below:

• Contaminated land non-technical summary
• Contaminated land investigation desk study and risk assessment report
• Contaminated land investigation report appendix C part one
• Contaminated land investigation report appendix C part two
• Contaminated land investigation report appendix C part three
• Contaminated land investigation report appendix E
• Appendix E addendum to planning history
• Contaminated land investigation FAQs
• Manor Farm contaminated land local residents letter

Massingham Petrol Storage Depot

Research was carried out by the Environmental Quality team to gather information on a site close to the A148 and Harpley Dams.

The investigation was to assess any risks as the site was used as a large scale petroleum storage depot (PSD) in the past. The site is currently not operational but is managed and maintained by the Ministry of Defence. There are sensitive receptors nearby including a drinking water abstraction, surface water and groundwater.

There was no evidence of harm to the sensitive receptors, but as the risks were not low, and as further work is being commissioned to address the identified risks, the site will not be determined as contaminated land but will be kept under review.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Contaminated land non-technical summary
• Contaminated land inspection report

Nar Ouse Regeneration Area (NORA)

We initiated a Part 2A investigation due to concerns that parts of the site, which were previously being remediated as part of the planning process, were no longer being actively managed.

We:

• carried out a desk top study of the known risks and concluded that further investigation was required
• an environmental site assessment was completed
• additional surface soil samples were taken
• a detailed quantitative risk assessment was completed

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land and does not pose an immediate risk to human health.

Further information

To find out more please view the following documents:

• NORA Contaminated Land Inspection Statement
• Appendix to NORA Inspection Statement

Rouses Lane, Downham Market

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. It was sand pit that was filled with waste between 1988-1999. The land is currently used as a paddock for grazing horses.

A planning application was submitted in 2015 for houses. The application was supported by a report, investigating the history of the site and its ground conditions. We have retrieved the report and other information from old maps and plans for this contaminated land inspection report.

There was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment, and the risk assessment has shown that there is a low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams and in the ground and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Rouses Lane Non-technical summary
• Rouses Lane Contaminated Land Inspection Report

Snettisham Quarry

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a restored landfill, quarry and waste recycling centre.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed that the site is an operational quarry and closed landfill. Part of the site is being operated by Frimstone as a waste recycling centre and mineral storage site under an environmental permit from the Environment Agency.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Snettisham Quarry contaminated land inspection report

South Farm

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site which is a field adjacent to fishing lakes and has been used in the past as a landfill. The landfill was potentially filled with phosphogypsum from the West Norfolk Fertiliser Limited who had the licence to operate the landfill. Phosphogypsum contains naturally occurring radioactive radium and metals.

Site investigation was undertaken using a radiation monitor. The levels of radiation detected were close to the recorded natural background levels of radiation. No evidence of waste material was noted at the site’s surface.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land, and it does not pose an immediate risk to human health, to water or the wider environment.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• South Farm contaminated land inspection report

Stoke Ferry former landfills

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on these three sites. The land was a gravel pit in the past. Parts of the land were filled with waste. We have retrieved information from our files, from old maps and plans and from County and Environment Agency documents for this report.

From the available evidence, some sources of contamination and ground gas were identified. There was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment, and the assessment has shown that there is a low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams, and rivers. A moderate/low risk was identified to groundwater but there was no evidence of serious water pollution.

The site is not considered to be contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We will keep the site under review and will update the inspection report if conditions change on site or if any reports of harm or pollution are received.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Stoke Ferry non-technical summary
• Stoke Ferry Inspection Report
• Stoke Ferry Inspection Report Appendices

Stow Road

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's former marshland which was reprofiled for construction of part of a railway embankment. The site was used as a landfill by Downham Rural District Council in the 1960s.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The site appears to have been filled with generally non-hazardous waste which has been in place for a minimum of 43 years. The land is managed and used as garden, paddock and rough grassland.

The site in its current use is unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health, property or controlled waters and is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below

• Stow Road contaminated land inspection report

St Nicholas Retail Park and Dobby Drive

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site. It's a former ironworks that is now redeveloped for retail and housing.

Investigation was undertaken using documents about the site and a site visit. The investigation showed when the site was re-developed it was remediated to take account of any contamination left by the former industrial use.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below

• St Nicholas Retail Park and Dobby Drive contaminated land inspection report
• Appendix C - Environmental permits

Thorpeland House

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site which is a paddock used for grazing. In the past the site was filled, potentially with phosphogypsum from West Norfolk Fertiliser Limited who held the licence to operate a landfill. Phosphogypsum contains naturally occurring radioactive radium and metals.

Site investigation was undertaken using a radiation monitor. The levels of radiation detected were close to the recorded natural background levels of radiation. No evidence of waste material was noted at the sites surface.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land, and it does not pose an immediate risk to human health, to water or the wider environment.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Thorpeland House contaminated land inspection report

Watlington Road

We carried out a Part 2A investigation on this site which is an arable field and has been used in the past as a landfill. The land was an old gravel pit which was potentially filled with phosphogypsum from the West Norfolk Fertiliser Limited and soil. Phosphogypsum contains naturally occurring radioactive radium and metals.

Site investigation was undertaken using a radiation monitor. The levels of radiation detected were close to the recorded natural background levels of radiation. There were no significant amounts of waste material seen at the site’s surface.

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land, and it does not pose an immediate risk to human health, to water or the wider environment. If large amounts of waste material appear at the soil surface then we will review this assessment.

Further information

You can find out more information in the document below:

• Watlington Road contaminated land inspection report

The Willows Nature Reserve

We carried out a Part 2A inspection on this site. In the past the land was part of historical brickworks.

The site is seen labelled as a brickworks with kilns on the north of site on 1891-1912 mapping. This appears to have ceased by 1904-1939, The north of site is seen partially developed for residential use, the west of site has been previously investigated for permission to build residential dwellings and remainder of site is known as the Willows nature reserve.

There was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment. The risk assessment has shown that there is a moderate/low risk from contamination to people, property, to the wider environment and to water in ditches, streams and in the ground, and the land is not contaminated land.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• The Willows non-technical summary
• The Willows Inspection Report

Winfarthing Avenue

We carried out a Part 2A inspection for this site. We have retrieved information from our files, and from old maps and plans. The land was railway cottages in the past and part of the Great Eastern Railway Harbour Branch. Construction of the nearby Hardings Way road took place during 2010-11. The site was cleared of vegetation then, and was used as a holding area for materials while the road was built.

From the available evidence, some sources of contamination were identified, but there was no evidence of harm to people or the natural environment. The assessment has shown that there is a low risk from contamination to people and to water in the ground, ditches and rivers, and a very low risk to property and to the wider environment.

The site is not considered to be contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We will keep the site under review and will update the inspection report if conditions change on site or if any reports of harm or pollution are received.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Winfarthing Avenue non-technical summary
• Winfarthing Avenue Inspection Report
• Winfarthing Avenue Appendix B
• Winfarthing Avenue Appendix D

Wisbech Canal

We have investigated the former Wisbech Canal landfill site. We checked if any contamination was created when the canal was closed and the land was in-filled with refuse.

We:

• reviewed the history of the canal and its environment
• carried out a walkover survey
• produced a non technical summary
• carried out an intrusive investigation to see if contamination is present, and if it could affect people or property nearby

The investigation showed that the land was not contaminated land, and it does not pose an immediate risk to human health.

Further information

You can find out more information in the documents below:

• Wisbech Canal final report
• Wisbech Canal final non-technical summary