A second allotment site in Thornton-Cleveleys has been recommended for formal contaminated land determination as part of an ongoing investigation into potential historic pollution linked to the former ICI site at Hillhouse.
Environmental experts have concluded Sandringham Avenue Allotments meet the criteria to be designated as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, following soil testing carried out last year.
The recommendation comes as part of a multi-agency investigation launched by Wyre Council in 2024 into possible contamination from the former ICI site, now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd and located within the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.
The investigation is examining whether Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical used at the site between the 1950s and 2012, may have been released into the atmosphere and deposited on surrounding land.
According to the Environment Agency, two phases of shallow soil sampling at Sandringham Avenue Allotments found PFOA concentrations above a low-risk interim screening threshold used for allotment sites where food is grown.
The findings mirror those previously reported at Occupation Road Allotments, which have also been recommended for contaminated land determination.
As a result, Sandringham Avenue Allotments will be temporarily closed with the agreement of plot holders while Wyre Council follows the legal process required before any remediation work can take place.
The council has stressed that it intends to restore the site and return it to use as an allotment once the process is complete.
A spokesperson for the multi-agency investigation said: "An investigation of this nature is a complex legal process, and we will continue to follow that process carefully.
"We understand that local residents will understandably be concerned, particularly as we now have two sites which appear to meet the criteria for determination under the contaminated land regime, the other being Occupation Road Allotments.
"The recommendation for Sandringham Avenue Allotments – as with Occupation Road – is based on very sensitive screening levels for allotment sites, recognising that people who grow produce in this way are more likely to consume a higher proportion of home-grown produce in their diet than those who grow food at home."
Wyre Council will now consider the Environment Agency's recommendations and continue progressing through the statutory contaminated land process.
The wider investigation into historic contamination around part of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone remains ongoing.
Advice for residents
Current advice from the Food Standards Agency for people living within one kilometre of the Hillhouse site remains unchanged.
Residents growing fruit and vegetables are advised to wash and peel home-grown produce to remove soil, dust, and bacteria before eating.
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While this is recommended for all home-grown produce, the agency says it may also help reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals where elevated levels have been found in the soil.
People living within the one-kilometre zone may also wish to consider using raised beds filled with fresh soil when growing produce in gardens or allotments.
The UK Health Security Agency is also advising people to follow normal hygiene precautions, including washing hands thoroughly after gardening and before handling food, as well as washing and peeling produce grown in soil.
More information on the investigation and soil sampling results is available via Wyre Council's multi-agency investigation webpages.
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