Arsenic, asbestos and lead have all been found at a site in Binstead where 24 homes are proposed to built.
The decontamination costs have already led to viability issues for the scheme.
Additionally, there are no affordable houses proposed or a financial contribution to the provision elsewhere despite Isle of Wight Council policy.
Outline plans have been submitted to the council’s planning department by Indigo Blew Ltd who are looking to build houses and bungalows on the former Hosiden Besson factory on Binstead Road.
The former industrial building has already been demolished, leaving foundations and concrete floor structures behind.
The history of the brownfield site has meant the land is known to be contaminated and is an ‘overriding factor’ controlling the viability of the project, according to planning agent Robert Gray Design.
A ground investigation report, carried out to aid the planning application by Eagle Eye Environmental Solutions, found some areas of the site will need to be excavated and appropriately disposed of due to the presence of ‘hotspots’ of arsenic, asbestos and lead.
However, they say it is unlikely average exposures across the site ‘will be of significant toxicological concern’ and there are no contamination levels above guidelines but enough that ‘exceedances’ were recorded.
A ‘Development Viability Report’ has been produced for the scheme, due to the decontamination costs, but is not attached in planning documents.
However, Mr Gray concludes in available documents, the development is not viable should it have to provide further costs like an affordable housing contribution.
Council policy dictates in a development of this size at least 35 per cent of properties should be affordable, but none are proposed in this scheme.
Usually, a financial contribution is sought instead to provide affordable housing elsewhere. Mr Gray says, however, to meet the policy’s requirements the development would need to be increased ‘considerably, at the expense of the suitability and desirability’ of the current proposal.
Problems do not end there as Island Roads has already recommended the development be refused on eight highway issues.
They range from inadequate parking and turning areas, inadequate access for fire engines and refuse vehicles as well as inadequate access width and visibility.
To view the plans, 21/02564/OUT, you can visit the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments will be accepted until February 11.
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