Site 14: Site contamination and remediation - our comments

The process for investigating the extent of site contamination on the Eric & Treby Estate and making proposals for how it should be dealt with continues.

Tower Hamlets Planning have recently agreed that:

• (Stage 1 Desk Research) the report commissioned by Telford Homes from Herts and Essex Site Investigations has satisfied the Stage 1 requirements of Planning Condition 3 relating to the investigation of site contamination on the land included in proposals for the Eric & Treby development
• Stages 2 (Site Investigation) and Stage 3 (Site Remediation):  Approval is now required for all proposals for site investigation; the results of investigation must be produced and the plan of remediation approved IN ADVANCE OF DEVELOPMENT on:
• EACH individual numbered area of site development and
• EACH numbered area of landscaping strategy

It's important to note that NO CONSTRUCTION WORK CAN COMMENCE ON SITE UNTIL PROPOSALS RELATING TO THIS PLANNING CONDITION FOR THAT SITE HAVE BEEN APPROVED

To date Telford Homes have submitted an application for approval of details to satisfy Planning Condition 3 for ONE site only.

The site in question is Site 14 on the corner of Eric Street and Ropery Street.

This is the site which was closed down after the investigation by Planning Enforcement found that Telford Homes had proceeded to commence construction and thus had breached both the planning permission and the terms of the Planning Condition 3 relating to site remediation works

On Friday MERA submitted its comments on PA/10/01560 - Application for Approval of Details re Site 14 ONLY.

Here's a summary of the points made:

Overview
We remain very seriously concerned about Telford Homes' approach and attitude to health and safety regulations and requirements and general duty of care owed to others - which have been repeatedly disregarded to date. 

Site Investigation:

BREACH OF PLANNING PERMISSION AND PLANNING CONDITION 3

• We noted that the site was only properly investigated AFTER the foundations had been dug and pipes laidie in breach of planning permission / planning condition 3

SITE CONTAMINATION

• We are pleased to see that it is now being fully recognised that the identified contaminants are prevalent across the site including those sites not properly tested previously - such as Site 14.

Site Remediation

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• We have not seen any evidence that workmen were using appropriate protective clothing in relation to the contamination while working on Site 14  (as opposed to general protective clothing used on all construction sites)

Site 14: No protective clothing re soil contamination

REMOVAL OF SOIL / SOIL CERTIFICATION

• We don't understand why we are now seeing different depths proposed for the removal of soil compared to the original report from the same firm. We expect to see 0.5 metre of soil removed from ALL communal landscaped areas - as per the original report on this topic and 0.9 metres of soil in areas of private gardens
• We suspect the developer is in some difficulty in connection with certifying the soils which have already been removed from the site and we doubt very much whether these can now be identified.  We suspect they have already been mixed with other soils or already removed from the site altogether - as has happened with soil removed from Open Space 2.

Site 14 - Where's all the soil gone?
Was it certified before it left the site?
What do you think?

WASHING/CLEANING PRIOR TO LEAVING SITE: 

• The Decontamination proposals relating to Site 14 are completely inadequate.  The workforce need to be decontaminated BEFORE they leave site 14 NOT before they leave the Eric & Treby Estate.

Do we have to make the point yet again that this is a residential estate with a high proportion of families with small children - many of whom play on the streets?  


It is ESSENTIAL that no contaminating material finds its way on to the streets or pavements. 

• How exactly do the workforce get from Site 14 to the washing and cleaning facilities at the site office?
• How exactly does Telford Home prevent contaminants from the site transferring via boots and clothing to the streets and pavements? 
• Are workers going to be taken back to the Site Office in a vehicle?  This needs to be made clear.

We expect the scheme to be compatible with the standards listed in INFO-PM2    Key Information Sources : Project Management – Health and Safety and Quality Management on page 188 of Model Procedures for the Management of Contaminated Land  

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND CONTROLS

• We visited the site on a number of occasions and there has been no evidence to date of damping down of dust generation caused by the excavation or regard for people living near the site.  

Eric & Treby - Site 14 (Eric Street):  the latest play structures
very large unattended vehicles for children to play on
plus contaminated soil which is not covered

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

• A Traffic Management Plan exists for this site but is not included with this application.  As stated the traffic management plan is inadequate as it fails to be sufficiently specific as to streets and flows and specific places where lorries will be queued. 
• A key concern in relation to this site has been the construction vehicles parked unattended on the street where they are accessible to children - we have witnessed workmen on the site completely oblivious to anything happening to the vehicles in the street

If any resident has any concerns relating to the Site Investigation and/or proposals for Site Remediation please get in touch with MERA.  Details of how to contact us are included in the right hand column.

KEEP UPDATED: Subscribe to MERA - Mile End Residents Association Blog by Email