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Forever chemicals removed from former Oxfordshire fuel depot, developer says
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Barrels of firefighting foam liquid containing PFAS chemicals at the former Islip Fuel Depot in Oxfordshire have been removed by the site's developer, Newcore. Campaigners had previously raised concerns after discovering about 40 sealed barrels dating back to 1988 left on the development site, with tests by the Gallos Brook community group suggesting high levels of contamination. However, Newcore CEO Hugo Llewelyn disputed the campaigners' findings, stating that professional testing showed much lower levels and that surveys confirmed no pathway for pollution. The Environment Agency has been in contact with site owners to ensure proper management.
Wichtige Punkte
- Barrels of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals have been removed from the former Islip Fuel Depot in Oxfordshire.
- The site has outline planning permission for residential and affordable housing development.
- Campaigners from the Gallos Brook group found about 40 sealed barrels left on the site and claimed soil tests showed extremely high levels of PFAS contamination.
- Newcore CEO Hugo Llewelyn disputed the campaigners' testing methods and results, citing professional Phase 2 investigation tests showing significantly lower contaminant levels.
- Llewelyn stated that the containers were sealed, never deployed, and that successive surveys confirmed no pathway for pollution.
- The Environment Agency's Chemical Compliance team contacted site owners to ensure the drums are properly managed.