Land REMEDIATION
Before we begin construction of Tudor Place, we will carefully prepare the site to make sure the land is clean, stable and ready for new homes.
This work is being carried out in line with an approved Remediation and Enabling Works Strategy, prepared by independent specialists E3P and approved by Knowsley Council. The strategy confirms that, once these works are complete, the site will be suitable for residential use.
What the investigations found
The land at Cherryfield Drive has a varied history, with past uses including a college, school, residential housing and petrol station. As is typical for previously developed (brownfield) land, specialist investigations identified very small traces of historic building materials within the soil.
These materials are likely to come from past construction or demolition activities – for example, fragments of old roofing, insulation or cement products that were once common in older buildings. Testing also identified very low trace levels of asbestos fibres.
These levels are extremely low and well within safe limits, meaning they do not pose a risk to people or the environment. Findings of this kind are common on brownfield land and will be safely managed through modern remediation standards before any construction takes place.
As part of the redevelopment, standard good-practice measures – such as the use of clean topsoil in gardens and landscaped areas – will ensure the site is completely safe for new residents.
Importantly, the report and investigations confirmed:
- Independent testing confirmed that groundwater quality meets all required environmental standards;
- No evidence of widespread asbestos contamination;
- Low risk from former mining or landfill activity; and
- Safe for future residents once remediation is complete and validated.
How we will remediate the site
To remediate and make the site safe, all works will be undertaken by specialist contractors under strict environmental controls, overseen by E3P and Knowsley Council. This process includes:
- Careful removal of remaining foundations and made ground, sorting and testing materials as they are excavated;
- Removal of localised hotspots where slightly elevated readings were recorded;
- Installation of a clean soil layer across all gardens and landscaped areas – typically 60cm deep – using certified clean material;
- Independent air-quality monitoring during works to ensure there is no release of asbestos fibres or dust; and
- Validation testing and certification to confirm the land meets residential standards before homebuilding begins.
What this means for residents
The levels of asbestos and other materials found on site are extremely low and typical for brownfield land. These materials are fully contained and will be safely managed by licensed professionals in line with national regulations.
Once remediation is complete, the land will be independently verified as safe for housing, gardens and public open space.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes are committed to ensuring that every stage of this process is carried out safely, transparently and to the highest environmental standards.