Villagers living near old Derbyshire toxic waste dumps suffer stroke-like symptoms

Plans to build 630 new homes near three dump sites in Somercotes, have been approved despite fierce opposition. The development lies on the site of a former quarry and coal mine which was turned into a dump to bury hundreds of thousands of tonnes of industrial waste in the 1960s and 70s.

Since the bulldozers started clearing the site several months ago, some residents have been struck down with mystery illnesses. Grandmother Hannah Tomlinson was rushed to hospital after suffering stroke-like symptoms while an elderly man collapsed with a seizure. Others have complained of blistering skin and rashes spreading over the legs and arms.

Another resident, whose garden backs onto the site, says their cat collapsed and died shortly after the bulldozers moved in. Hannah, 53, has lived in the area with her husband Steve for more than 20 years. She said: "If it [my ill health] continues, we'll probably have to move.

“I can’t live being rushed in and out of hospital and family not wanting to come, because of what could be there. It was the weekend before Easter that I got ill.

“I had a headache and neck pain and I was really lethargic. Then I had slurred speech and started having uncontrollable shakes in my hand. I went to A&E and I had tests and scans and I was in for nine days.

“I was put on antibiotics as my white blood cells were raised which indicates infection. I went home and it started again and then I got pains in my eyes. I went back to hospital and I had tests and that came back with high blood cells. The doctors advised me to wear a mask if I went outside.

“Since the developers moved onto the site I’ve had headaches, neck pain, shakes, dizziness and I’m tired all the time. I believe what is to blame is what is coming out of the fields.”

Hannah’s neighbour Allan Smith, 67, said: “It's a toxic timebomb. I know a lot of people have been saying they’ve sore eyes and itchy eyes.”

Another resident said: "An older gentleman went for a walk in the fields and when he came home he suffered a seizure. The same man's cat also collapsed and died after being let out. “

Parish councillor Jason Parker added: “I saw Hannah at her worse and she had numbness in her hands and she could hardly string a sentence together. It's absolute madness to build on these tips. They whole area is one of the most contaminated sites in the UK.”

Ground investigations by developers suggest there could be toxic substances and chemicals present in the soil. Toxins detected include cancer-causing benzene, which is in crude oil, dodecane, used in nuclear fuel plants and tetradecane found in jet fuel.

Despite widespread opposition, Amber Valley District Council approved the development. A council spokesperson said: “The health and safety of all residents in the borough remains paramount, so we are taking the complaints very seriously.

“Our investigations of the proposed development sites, including contact with the developers, have confirmed that no construction work has taken place and that the only machinery on site to date has been specifically required for ground investigations.

“The current works require the stripping back of the surface layer to inspect for any historic mine workings, including early bell pits and mine shafts. This is a strict condition of the planning application.

"To date there has been nothing to suggest that there are soil contaminants present at levels that would be deemed unsafe for development.”

Avant Homes, which is one of three developers involved with the project, has permission to build 200 homes on a site off Birchwood Lane and 200 at Nether Farm in the village.

A spokesperson said: "Our proposed site at Somercotes is greenfield in nature and has no known landfill areas on it. At its closest point, the site is also some 250 metres away from the nearest former landfill site, which is situated across a small valley.

"To support our planning application, and because we are aware of the history of the area, we appointed professionally qualified independent consultants to carry out a thorough and detailed site investigation. Soil testing confirmed the absence of any significant concentrations of organic or inorganic contamination on our site."

Futures Housing Group plans to build 180 homes on the adjacent Stanley Street site. A spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear that some people in Somercotes are having health problems and wish them well. However, we do not believe that our development site at Stanley Street is connected with their ill health.

"Extensive and expert investigations at the site as part of standard pre-development preparations have found no significant or unusual contamination.

"This work has been done in line with all relevant standards. Our reports have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority.

"If new evidence comes to light that directly connects any of the newly reported health problems to the Stanley Street site we will of course take all necessary steps to address the situation."