Come clean on risks with Entry Hill site
Your readers may be interested to learn that following a protracted silence on this issue, BANES will shortly be considering a formal planning application to build a Mountain Bike Park on the former golf course on Entry Hill.
The delay in proceeding to application was almost certainly caused by the findings of a “Contaminated Land Desk Study” initiated by BANES, and which has led to cancellation of the allotments proposed for the upper end of the site due to “landfill under the ground”.
This comes as little surprise to local residents who are already aware that the site was used as landfill from 1970 to 1989, before being converted for use as a Golf Course.
Indeed, some of those living in closest proximity to the site will have experienced difficulties with environmental (i.e. contamination) surveys as part of their house purchase process.
Within the above-mentioned Study, the British Geological Society (BGS) states that the landfill site poses “a major risk to aquifer” i.e. the Lyn Brook that runs underneath; however, BANES has failed to test the water in the Lyn Brook which flows out of the site under Entry Hill and across to Lyncombe Vale.
This same study also states quite unambiguously that “any landfill capping must remain undisturbed”.
Yet BANES has no record of any such capping ever having taken place.
Tellingly, only “Phase 1” of the
Study has so far been released, and this after a direct approach to the Independent Commission Office, not through BANES itself.
The Phase 2 report goes into more depth (excuse the pun) but remains officially in draft, a conventional developers’ stratagem to avoid information being made public before a planning application is formally submitted.
Pre-application costs to the taxpayer thus far are £42,333, and counting.
It is almost beyond belief that, given the title of this Study, BANES has still not formally recorded the Entry Hill green space on its list of contaminated sites.
Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 defines land as a ‘contaminated site’ where substances are causing, or could cause: ■ Significant harm to people, property or protected species;
■ Significant pollution of surface waters (for example lakes and rivers) or groundwater.
The above comment by the BGS would strongly suggest that further investigation of both the soil and groundwater and water courses is required, and that the Entry Hill green space should be added to the list of contaminated sites without delay.
Notwithstanding all of these issues, BANES appears determined to rid itself of a valuable urban green space and acquire instead a small-scale Mountain Bike Park of doubtful commercial viability.
The construction of said park will require space to be cleared for tons of aggregate to create cycle routes and a concrete pump track.
It is hard to see how all this can be achieved without significant degradation of the existing natural environment, or how it will “encourage new wildlife habitats and wider biodiversity” – and all without any excavation into the
landfill underneath.
It is a complete mystery why BANES is willing to pursue this project for the benefit of a sporting minority, yet to the very real disadvantage of so many local residents of all ages and levels of fitness who currently enjoy free and uninterrupted access for walking and other pursuits.
Equally puzzling is the apparent indifference of Lib Dem and especially Green supporters to the risks to public health, the environment and biodiversity.
Kevin Guy, leader of BANES, has so far said nothing, effectively distancing himself from the growing controversy.
Surely now is the time for him to break cover and go on record to reassure the electorate that development of the Entry Hill site poses no environmental risk, and that the steadily increasing costs of construction represent a worthwhile investment of public funds against the backdrop of an environmental emergency, ever rising heating bills, and a growing cost of living crisis.
I am sure that the public in general, but especially those of his own party who are sincerely concerned for the environment, would be most interested to learn what he has to say.
S Mcfarland
Bath