Development site free of explosives

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Thursday, 2 September 2021 18:24

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

A new development site in Hereford has been given the go-ahead… but only after it was checked for undiscovered explosives.

The place earmarked for a new office, industrial and storage building in Rotherwas is on part of the former explosives filling area of National Filling Factory 14, hastily built during the First World War to equip the armed forces with shells.

Later during the Second World War, it became Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Rotherwas, supplying munitions to the RAF, before finally closing in 1967.

Given the site’s history, Herefordshire Council commissioned specialist firm Zetica to analyse soil at the site for explosives contamination before granting permission last week.

Zetica said it tested 16 samples for all commonly used explosives found in the UK.

“No samples recorded significantly elevated concentrations of explosives and none exceeded any actionable thresholds,” its report said.

“Given this, no additional risk mitigation measures are required prior to development.”

A condition attached to the permission requires the developer, Hereford Enterprise Zone Ltd, to promote alternative sustainable means of transport for staff and visitors.

The new two-storey building must also meet sustainability standards. It will be within the North Magazine, the last area of the 72-hectare Skylon Park enterprise zone to be developed.