Would you buy a new build near a closed landfill site? Anything we should consider? Updated post 18

[Orlando 2004]

We've been considering buying a new build house but have just realised it's quite close to a closed landfill site. The site closed permanently 7years ago and has been returned to agricultural pastures and a wildlife haven and meadows with woodland is being established. Should we be concerned about contamination of the land? There does seem to be an option for the landfill site management to use the closed mechanical sorting and skip area as a waste facility in the future if required. The site did smell sometimes before it was closed but we're not aware of any smell in the area since it closed. We do currently live quite close to the area but not as close as the new houses.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

How close is 'close'?

Are you on the same level or is the land where you are buying lower? Is there any running water such as a stream etc? Does the landfill site have methane vents sticking up?

To be honest I wouldn't as nobody knows what horror stories are buried sadly. What would totally make it a no go for me is the fact they can dump there or nearby in the future.

[Anne]

In a few words, No.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Another issue with Brown Field sites is the future stigma when you come to sell.

In the City where Ii live was a WW2 ROF (Royal Ordnance Factory) site where munitions were made. However it then became part of the Atomic Weapons Establishment and as AWE Cardiff, switched production to the manufacture of components for the nuclear weapons programme. All production ceased in 1997.

They demolished the massive complex and built houses. The stand up joke here is you can tell the Residents who live there as they glow in the dark and that affects the sale price.

[Orlando 2004]

I'm not too sure on distance but probably 200-300 yards to the edge of where it was. There is a river further down the hill from it and from the house.
That is another worry, how much it would affect the resale, not that we would be lookng to move. It's a lovely house but can't believe we didn't realise how close the old landfill was.

[novocastrian]

I would say in 2021 any such land will have been subject to a much higher standard of (if needed) decontamination than a few years back

personally it wouldnt bother me, especially if you now have a woodland/country park in your doorstep

locally i can think of two big estates built on former coke works both lovely areas with loads of woodland/ponds/walks incorporated into the development

we nearly moved into one only thwarted when the sellers decided at the last minute to not divorce/sell to us...

[megaflyer]

I wouldn't - todays rubbish could be tomorrows toxic. All you need to do is think back to lead, asbestos, mercury (thermometers) - all were sent to land fill not that long ago so who knows what is dumped today could be deemed toxic in next few years. It would stop me buying, new or not, anywhere near

However I live on top of a WWII secret bunker in London (now open to the public ) - I know its safe (and probably always was) but I am sure it would put some people off buying here

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by megaflyer

I wouldn't - todays rubbish could be tomorrows toxic. All you need to do is think back to lead, asbestos, mercury (thermometers) - all were sent to land fill not that long ago so who knows what is dumped today could be deemed toxic in next few years. It would stop me buying, new or not, anywhere near

However I live on top of a WWII secret bunker in London (now open to the public ) - I know its safe (and probably always was) but I am sure it would put some people off buying here

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MF. True words again. That's an interesting bit of history you are on and probably very sturdy as well so no issues.

Have they done it up as a 'War Room' for the public to see or is it just an empty structure?

[megaflyer]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

MF. True words again. That's an interesting bit of history you are on and probably very sturdy as well so no issues.

Have they done it up as a 'War Room' for the public to see or is it just an empty structure?

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My Apartment is a new build on the land but part of the planning permission for the complex was for the contractor do up the Tunnels and below ground accommodation etc so it can be opened to the public - it is now listed as a museum but in the 14 months I have lived here it has yet to open (covid) but the whole development is now listed

ipsusltd/ww2drum/info.pdf

[megaflyer]

I will try and find a link to the museum