Experts have concluded that an additional allotment site in Thornton-Cleveleys meets the criteria to be determined as contaminated land as part of an ongoing environmental investigation.
Wyre Council launched a multi-agency investigation in 2024 to consider potential historic contamination from the former ICI site - now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd – which occupies part of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.
The investigation is looking into whether Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), used on the site between the 1950s and 2012 and released into the air, may have been deposited on land in the surrounding area.
Now, the Environment Agency has presented conclusions stating that Sandringham Avenue Allotments in Thornton-Cleveleys meet the criteria to be determined as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
These conclusions follow two phases of shallow soil sampling carried out at the site last year, which found PFOA levels above the low-risk interim screening level for soils where produce is grown in an allotment setting. The results have already been published on the multi-agency webpages here: www.wyre.gov.uk/multi-agency
With the support of the allotment tenants, Sandringham Avenue Allotments will be closed temporarily while Wyre Council follows the legal process towards remediation of the site. The Council’s full intention is for the land to be restored and brought back into use as an allotment.
A spokesperson for the multi-agency investigation said: “An investigation of this nature is a complex legal process and we will continue to follow that process carefully.
“We understand that local residents will understandably be concerned, particularly as we now have two sites which appear to meet the criteria for determination under the contaminated land regime, the other being Occupation Road Allotments.
“The recommendation for Sandringham Avenue Allotments - as with Occupation Road - is based on very sensitive screening levels for allotment sites, recognising that people who grow produce in this way are more likely to consume a higher proportion of home-grown produce in their diet than those who grow food at home.”
Wyre Council will now consider the Environment Agency’s conclusions and continue to follow the legal steps set out under Part 2A. The wider multi-agency investigation into potential historic contamination linked to part of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone remains ongoing.
Current advice
Current advice from the Food Standards Agency for people living within 1km of the Hillhouse site remains the same.
- For those living within 1km of the site, consumers of home-grown produce should wash and peel their produce to remove soil, dust and bacteria before eating.
- The FSA advise this for all home-grown produce, however given the elevated levels of PFOA in soil samples, removing the soil will help reduce exposure to PFAS.
- Due to the elevated levels found in soil, residents living within 1km may also consider the use of raised beds and fresh soil when growing produce in gardens or allotments.
Further advice from UK Health Security Agency is here:
- Follow normal hygiene precautions and wash hands thoroughly after working or playing in the garden or allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink
- Wash and peel any produce grown in the soil in order to remove any soil or dust
Read more about the investigation here: Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone - Thornton-Cleveleys – Wyre Council