New Build Development over 60 year old Landfill

Curious_home_buyer

Hello
We are considering buying a new build property in a large housing development in Tunbridge Wells. We found that a part of the site was a Council Tip from 1930s - 1960s and was used for various types of household and industrial waste. The builder (Berkeley Group) had done significant remediation work to clean-up the ground. I have two specific questions:
1) Given that more than 200 houses have already been sold in the development, do I need to be concerned about the fact that the development is over an old landfill?
2) The landfill was only over one-third of the overall site which is across 44 acres (landfill was only 15 acres). If the house we are thinking of buying isn't directly over the landfill (we are checking that with the developer), does that reduce the problem ? Or even the area nearby the landfill equally problematic? 
Also, what documents / assurance can we ask from the builder which can make us more comfortable? 
Keen to hear and learn from your experience. Thanks. 
   

davidmcn

Have you checked the planning application? There'll no doubt have been reams of reports submitted about surveys carried out and detail of what remediation has been done in order to satisfy the planners. You're not going to get specific documents / assurances beyond that.

(I presume you want application 16/07023 (and subsequent ones for amendments / discharge of conditions etc) from https://twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application)

getmore4less

Do independent checks using the planning application historical records etc.  to find the contamination envelope and check carefully what the builders a re supposed to be building and what they are suposed to be doing to things like landscaping.
They have a habit of sneaking through little changes and forgetting to update the marketing materials peopl have found their gardens changed windows moved, differnt houses next to them.........

Make sure you have every document dealing with decontamination/rectification work as this will be asked for when you come to sell.,  

presumably it this this one
https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/kent/royal-tunbridge-wells/hollyfields

http://www.cognitionlandandwater.com/news/48/83/Landfill-Remediation-Hawkenbury-Kent/
that helps me find this
https://www.hawkenburyvillage.co.uk/last-day-to-comment-on-hawkenbury-farm-development/

Not just land fill but a clay pit and brickworks.

start here and go to the map interface on the following page
http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/residents/planning/planning-application-search
https://twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/spatialDisplay.do?action=display&searchType=Application

this seems to be the property and there are 64 planning application to go through and there may well be  other of interest in surrounding properties. 
100062566666 | Hawkenbury Farm Hawkenbury Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9AD
https://twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=property&type=custom

this looks like the initial  planning application.
16/07023/HYBRID | Hybrid planning application (part outline/part detailed) comprising: (1) full planning application for the re-grading and remediation of the entire site (2) full planning application for the demolition of Nos 17 and 19 Maryland Road and the construction of 235 dwellings together with accesses, parking, landscaping and areas of open space and (3) outline planning application (with all matters except access reserved) for a two form entry primary school, accesses, parking, drop-off areas, landscaping and associated playing fields and sports facilities. | Land At Hawkenbury Farm Hawkenbury Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9AD

only 336 documents and 145 properties connected to that one.
there a re contamination, flooding and ecological along with a load of comments(complaints) and various amendments latest for the 6th Dov  in June with references to loads of other planning applications.

Plenty to keep you going and work out from the maps where your preferred plot(s) are in relation to the contamination.

ProDave

Once you have identified the site exactly, go through some of the old maps websites and see if you can find the actual extent of the landfill area shown.

davidmcn

ProDave said:

Once you have identified the site exactly, go through some of the old maps websites and see if you can find the actual extent of the landfill area shown.

Easier than that - the environmental reports submitted for planning usually include a full timeline of old maps showing the history of the site.

Brock_and_Roll

Personally its a no. 60 yo landfill is worse than a modern one - they dumped everything back than!