RESIDENTS at the former Bourton Mill site are being reassured that they are safe – with tough inspections and strict measure to cap pollution in the ground.

The site, off Factory Hill, is known to have asbestos, oil and other pollutants, dating back to previous uses including bomb making.

Dorset Council officers spent much of their time at a planning meeting this week (Tuesday) explaining the steps which have been taken to ensure existing and new homes are safe to live in.

Bourton Parish Council and several local residents had written to the council asking for irrefutable evidence about site safety although in their comments on an application for four extra homes both Natural England and the Environment Agency raised no concerns, provided existing measures continued to be observed.

Dorset Echo: River Stour diversion through purpose-built open channel Picture: Dorset CouncilRiver Stour diversion through purpose-built open channel Picture: Dorset Council

Councillors agreed the additional homes although heard that the high cost of the safety  measures meant the development of the Mill area had been slow and a 3 metre pile of spoil may have to stay on site because it is too expensive to move.

Council planning case officer Hannah Smith said that each home and garden was capped with an impermeable membrane and, for gardens, new top soil then had to be brought in from elsewhere to a depth of at least 60cms. Because of this those living on the site are not allowed to carry out any building works which would mean digging down greater than that depth – without express permission.

She told the meeting that the council inspected the site and both the authority and the developer employed their own pollution consultants to ensure safety. The Environment Agency also monitored water flowing through the site and had never found any traces of pollution reaching watercourses.

Existing planning consents dating back to 2012 allow for up to 35 homes on the site, some of which have been completed, partly with the help of grant funding from Homes England because of the high costs of tackling pollution, together with the added expense of a diversion scheme for a short section of the River Stour which once flowed in a culvert under the mill factory floor, but now flows through a new open channel.

The four new homes agreed, on an area where 16 were allowed, will be smaller than previously approved resulting in an overall reduction of 14 bedrooms: The site is now to have 10 two-bedroomed homes and 10 three-bedroomed, compared to the previously agreement for 16 four-bedroomed homes. Councillors heard that the changes were sought because smaller homes had proved easier to sell.