Possible contaminated land issue

Minion1

Hi hoping someone can help or has been in a similar situation. We are currently in the process of purchasing a house. We have just been informed that the land has a possibility of being contaminated.
I've managed to find out that the land was previously owned by the MOD and was used as an airfield.
The particular part we are in had maintenance facilities and was part of the runway.
My questions are, if someone can help.
1) the house was built in 1990, would I be right in assuming they would have had to have done soil samples then?
2) should I wait for our mortgage lender to make a decision as to whether they are happy to proceed in light of this info?
3) would an indemnity policy cover me if the land had to be cleared up?
Sorry for all the questions but I've never come across this before in a house sale.
Many thanks in advance:)

Minion1

Anyone???????????

ukmaggie45

Minion1 wrote: »

I've managed to find out that the land was previously owned by the MOD and was used as an airfield.
The particular part we are in had maintenance facilities and was part of the runway.
My questions are, if someone can help.
1) the house was built in 1990, would I be right in assuming they would have had to have done soil samples then?
2) should I wait for our mortgage lender to make a decision as to whether they are happy to proceed in light of this info?
3) would an indemnity policy cover me if the land had to be cleared up?

Welcome to the MSE Forum! Do make use of it in as many aspects as you need - I've made good online friends here, and it can be good fun as well as a great source of information. :j

Having said that, I can't actually help with your questions.

Built in 1990 I would have thought that the land should have been de-contaminated before building began?

BUT having said that, it occurs to me that if/when you decide to move elsewhere for whatever reasons (upsizing, downsizing, need more rooms for growing family...) you might have more difficulty selling. The same searches would come up.

I wish I could be more help, but at least this will have bumped your post, and hopefully someone with more knowledge than me about contaminated land will come along and offer better suggestions.

Best wishes and hope you enjoy the Forum. Maggie