A plan for 120 new homes in Great Dunmow has met with backlash due to fears that the land is contaminated.

The planning application - submitted by Bellway Homes - is for land off Woodside Way, and was deferred in November due to councillors' fears that there would not be enough outdoor space for residents, and that it would harm an ancient woodland.

Dunmow resident and local campaigner Tony Clarke has raised concerns about the site, as it was used as a tip during the completion of the Dunmow bypass in 2016/2017.

This led to an estimated 60,000 tonnes of excavated materials being deposited across the site, which is referred to as 'made up ground' by engineers. This land now overlays the site by up to 7.5 metres.

Mr Clarke said: "The site was used as a tip for excavated material by Wickfords when they completed the Dunmow Bypass in 2016/17.

"Neither Bellway nor the Uttlesford District Council case offficer directly informed the planning committee of this when they asked it to approve the scheme on the grounds that in the absence of a Local Plan, it will benefit the Uttlesford District Council five-year housing land supply.

Homes and roads can be built on such land if special precautions including engineered foundations are used, but why would any reputable developer wish to do that?

"It adds greatly to the cost and the asking price of such homes and whilst it reduces the risks it does not eliminate them because the made up, contaminated land is still there.

"So 120 unsuspecting families could be sold homes that will still be subject to heave, subsidence and the effects of in the ground contamination.

"One can only wonder why Bellway and the Uttlesford planning department feel that this scheme has any merit beyond its claimed impact on the five year housing land supply.

"Is that a good enough reason to knowingly build 120 homes with potential built in defects?"

A spokesperson for Uttlesford District Council said: "Council officers are aware of the make-up of the ground at this site.

"The applicant commissioned a Geo-Environmental Assessment and site investigation which concludes that the site is generally free of any significant contaminates. The report has been reviewed by the council’s Environmental Health Team.

"Should planning permission be granted, council officers advise that it must be subject to further assessment of the nature and extent of possible contamination and any required remediation done before ground works commence. It is standard to make such requirements a condition on planning permissions.

"The planning application for the development of this land will be considered by the Planning Committee in the new year and thus no decision has been made.

"The applicant has not suggested the development is unviable and various foundation solutions can be employed in such cases. This would be checked at Building Regulations stages should planning permission be granted."

A Bellway spokesman said: "The planning application submission was supported by a Geo-Environmental Site Assessment prepared by expert consultants.

"Despite records not indicating contaminative land uses, the report considered the presence of a temporary haul road with substantial earth movements/ stockpiling and changes to site topography, and the possibility of the use as a local ‘tip’.

"Further intrusive investigations were undertaken in spring 2022 and these found that the site was generally free of significant contaminative issues.

"The council’s Environmental Health officer has confirmed that they have no objection to the application subject to standard conditions which require additional assessment and submission of a remediation strategy if necessary.

"This is also addressed in the case officer’s report to planning committee."