Historical landfill site revealed in environment search results

SpongySponge99

I am looking to buy a property in Sunbury, TW16, things were fine until I received environment search results.

Search revealed the land used to be historical land fill site in 30's. More precisely, I was a ballast pit. The house was built in 60's.

Solicitor are waiting for 'all clear' to receive from local authority via seller solicitor.

I love the property very much. Other people in 100 houses, in the area, seems to be living happily there.

What are the things I need to consider to make my purchase decision?
How it is going to affect if I want to sell this property later?

dc197

The environment tal eport should explain the risks to you. If the house is build right on top of old pits or works then there is an increased chance of ground instability and of contamination.

Remedial works may have been carried out when the house was built, just as for my last house (replaced the topsiol with fresh down to 1m depth). Does the seller have any paperwork that might indicate this?

SpongySponge99

Environmental report flagged the issues, it has not described the risks. Report asked for NHBC certificate OR written comment from the Environmental Health Department (local authority) or environment agency for further information.

My solicitor asked for these information last week. I am waiting to hear from them.

House was build on old pit. I have same concerns regarding heath hazards and ground instability.

The house in question, was sold in 2006 to current seller, I expect they had to deal with this back then.
Seller has not provided this information as of now. They have not disclosed this until environment searches flagged it.

Hoploz

I'm sure there are disused landfill sites all over the place. But Sunbury being only a few miles away, you must have heard about the awful tragedy of Zane and his family....

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/zane-gbangbola-live-updates-day-11485957

booksurr

Hoploz wrote: »

I'm sure there are disused landfill sites all over the place. But Sunbury being only a few miles away, you must have heard about the awful tragedy of Zane and his family....

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/zane-gbangbola-live-updates-day-11485957

since the inquest is currently ongoing perhaps best to let the inquest decide based on scientific evidence rather than internet scaremongering

- the post mortem said carbon monoxide poisoning arising from use indoors of a petrol driven water pump hired by the parents to pump out floodwater (which they may or may not have received adequate instructions from the hire company on how to operate)

compared to

- parental claim that they, plus son, were overcome by gas coming from the floodwater originating from the neighbouring landfill site

as a local of that area I can also vouch that there are a lot of ex landfill sites around. There are also a lot of people living there. Yes it will affect future sales because a minority of potential buyers will react the same way as the OP. Nonetheless, after 70 years plus in the case of the OP's house (80 for one of mine) if it was seriously linked as a causal effect I rather think the death toll or disease incidence would have been noted by now.

Hoploz

I dont know what area you mean you are local to, but I am just down the road from where this incident happened. Although the inquest hasnt yet finished, it just so happens it is going on right now, I know the story well and I understand they weren't actually using the petrol pump at the time and it can't be CO. Details can be read elsewhere, but as the OP was asking for opinions I gave this example as it has affected the way I feel about historic landfill sites. As I said before, there are many all over but this case has made me think the presence of a historic landfill site deserves consideration.