Bertie Park is an ex-landfill site. The Environment Agency says there is a “high risk” that building on the park could disturb the landfill. Contaminants could start to move into the underground water. The Environment Agency is worried because:
the proposed development site is located upon a secondary aquifer which is shallow and has potential to be in continuity with surface water.
Oxford City Council aren’t put off. They’re still dead-set on building!
They say that the builders (the council’s own building company OX Place) will monitor the ground water. They are asking OX place for:
“a contingency action plan including the list of potential mitigation measures that will be implemented, should unexpected changes in groundwater quality be noted as a result of decommissioning piling/other foundation designs works”
Which means a list of things to do if they contaminate the ground water. So, here are 3 suggestions:
Bertie Park is going back to planning committee on 9th September. Worried about the aquifer? Please tell your local councillor.
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