Former Printworks Blanefield – Update on Remediation of Contaminated Land

Stirling Council Agenda Item No.10

Date of Environmental & Housing Meeting: 14 November 2019 Committee Not Exempt Former Printworks Blanefield – Update on remediation of contaminated land

Purpose & Summary

This paper provides an update for committee on the works to decontaminate the former print works in Blanefield, and confirmations that the remediation, reinstatement and drainage works required at 13 residential properties in Blanefield are now complete.

Recommendations

Committee is asked to: 1. note that contamination has been removed and the gardens remediated and reinstated; and 2. note that the project is now complete, with all matters concluded and that there is no longer a Significant Possibility of Significant Harm (SPOSH) to the residents.

Resource Implications

The total budget identified for the project was £680,000.00. The remediation and reinstatement works started on 24 June 2014 and were completed on 14 October 2019.

Legal & Risk Implications and Mitigation

No further implications or Risk - The contamination has now been removed and the site remediated. 1. Background

1.1 Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides a requirement of dealing with the legacy of land contamination due to industrial and other historical uses and places a statutory duty on local authorities to identify and remediate contaminated land in their areas. 1.2 Part of the site of the former Printworks in Blanefield was identified in 2012 as being contaminated due to industrial waste from the former activity, requiring the site to be remediated. Since the closures of the printworks the area in question had been redeveloped for housing. 1.3 Following detailed studies, ground remediation work was required in the gardens of 13 properties after ground investigations identified the Significant Possibility of Significant Harm (SPOSH) to some residents from the harmful levels of lead and arsenic. 1.4 In 2014 the UK Government pledged £255,000, the Scottish Government pledged £300,000 and Stirling Council offered £125,000 to cover the costs involved to remediate these gardens. It was agreed that the 13 householders who had been left in this position should not be left liable for the costs of decontaminating the gardens of their properties.

2 Considerations

2.1 On 5 June 2014 the Environment & Housing Committee instructed the Council’s Environmental Services to carry out the remediation and reinstatement work which commenced on 24 June 2014 overseen by specialist contractor Mouchel. 2.2 The remediation works involved the removal and safe disposal of the top 600mm layer of the contaminated soil within the gardens and its replacement with ‘clean’ soil of known origin, the initial works were undertaken on site from May 2014 until November 2014. 2.3 Unfortunately, as a result of these initial remediation works most gardens started to experience drainage problems during 2015. 2.4 Specialist Consultants at Stirling Agricultural College (SAC) were appointed in March 2016 to investigate the problem and devise a specification for drainage works, which were undertaken from May to September 2016. 2.5 The gardens were given a period of time to re-establish however in June 2017 it became apparent that 7 properties required further drainage and landscaping works to resolve the issues. 2.6 In August 2017 Land Care Solutions (Scotland) Ltd undertook additional landscape gardening works at these 7 properties. 2.7 Unfortunately, one garden continued to experience drainage issues and a small amount of additional work had to be undertaken in October 2019. The issues in this garden have now been resolved.

2.8 This project has taken longer than it was originally envisaged, however, officers can confirm that the works have now been complete in the 13 gardens, the contaminated soil has been removed and the risks to the residents resolved. The costs incurred for the decontamination, remedial, drainage and landscaping works totalled £685,511. 2.9 All 13 gardens have now been reinstated and returned to the care of the residents who are satisfied with the condition of the gardens.

3 Implications

Equalities Impact 3.1 The contents of this report were assessed under the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process and it was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required. Fairer Scotland Duty 3.2 The contents of this report were considered in terms of the Fairer Scotland Duty and were determined not to be of strategic importance. Sustainability and Environmental 3.3 There is no direct sustainability impact as a result of this report and accordingly a Strategic Environmental Assessment in not required. 3.4 This report has no impact on the Council’s duty relating to climate change Other Policy Implications 3.5 None. Consultations 3.6 None.

4 Background Papers

4.1 EqIA Relevance Check. 4.2 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of October 2016 Public Health: Blanefield Contaminated Land – Remediation. 4.3 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 5 February 2015 – Public Health: Blanefield Contaminated Land – Remediation. 4.4 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 20 November 2014 – Public Health: Blanefield Contaminated Land – Remediation. 4.5 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 5 June 2014 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks. 4.6 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 21 November 2013 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks: Progress Update and Procurement Options for Remediation Works. 4.7 Report to Stirling Council of 10 October 2013 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks. 4.8 Report to Special Environment & Housing Committee of 25 June 2013 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks. 4.9 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 6 June 2013 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks. 4.10 Report to Environment & Housing Committee of 11 April 2013 – Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks. 4.11 Report to Stirling Council meeting of 28 February 2013 Public Health: Contaminated Land – Former Blanefield Printworks.

5 Appendices

5.1 None.

Author of Report: Contact Details: Linda Hill 01786 233631 Health Protection Team Leader [email protected]

Lorrainne MacGillivray 01786 233637 Regulatory Services Manager [email protected]

Approved by: Date: 21 October 2019.

Brian Roberts Chief Operating Officer Infrastructure & Environment

Details of Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Councillor Thomson and Councillor Gibson Portfolio Holder and Depute Portfolio Holder consulted on this report:

Wards affected: Strathblane

Key Priorities: E - We will create & implement environment and infrastructure improvements; deliver new ownership & delivery methods around energy generation, public transport & internet access, ensuring profits & services work to community, not commercial priorities

Key Priority Considerations: Environmental Improvement

Stirling Plan Priority Outcomes: Healthy - People are healthy and live active, full and (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) positive lives within supportive communities