The ENDS Report summary to this article states "Updated regulations should prevent a repeat of a controversy over a school built on a hazardous waste landfill site in south Wales."

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England

This ENDS item states "Updated regulations should help prevent a repeat of the controversy into the building of a school on a hazardous waste landfill site in south Wales"

And continues:
". . .   Tightened screening rules are one of the major changes in new regulations on environmental impact assessment (EIA), which entered into force on 24 August.

" . . .  The change appears to be a response to the controversy over the Glebelands development in Newport, Gwent (ENDS Report, September 2008)."

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

The ENDS Report summary to this article states "The government has proposed amending and consolidating legislation on environmental impact assessment to take account of court decisions, and to remove provisions that go beyond the EU EIA Directive."

And the article on Page 48 continues
"This would have forestalled some of the controversy over a school in Newport [that] has been built on a closed hazardous waste landfill site without an EIA (ENDS Report 422, p 23)."

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

This item relates to doubts about the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales properly investigating complaints against local authorities.  These findings are relevant to complaints made to the Public Service Ombudsman about Newport council's handling of the Glebelands development.

This item is not related to the Glebelands development, but it's worth congratulating Orb Electrical Steels for winning its case against another of Newport City Council's unlawful planning decisions.

This case highlights the ease with which council officers can mislead the planning committee to ensure that the officers get their way.

The ENDS Report summary to this article states "Newport council knew it had to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening opinion on a contaminated site but failed to do so, an Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) investigation has revealed."

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

Refers to removal of 778 drums of waste from the school site.

There's no mention about who has declared the land as 'safe'.

Refers to a fire in the roof of the new school during construction.

It's not clear who is treating the fire as "suspicious" or why the fire was thought to have been caused deliberately.

Later, it was believed that a workman caused the fire when a spark ignited the thermal insulation material that has been installed in the roof void.

This article does not mention whether anyone has declared the contaminated land at the site of the new school to be 'safe'.  There is no indication that monitoring of the land will be carried out to ensure safety of the children, teachers, and visitors to the school.  And issues over safe access to the site remain.

The ENDS Report summary to this article states "Campaigners have stepped up efforts to prevent a school being built on the site of a former hazardous chemical waste landfill in Newport, South Wales."

Those who are not subscribers to the ENDS Report may also find the text of the article at: http://www.allbusiness.com/environment-natural-resources/toxic-hazardous/13348661-1.html


Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

This article refers to the move of Rockfield nursery to the Glebelands landfill site.

According to the article, a total of 778 drums of waste and more than 2,500 tonnes of soil surrounding them was removed during the project and disposed of at a specialist facility.

The ENDS Report summary to this article states "Campaigners have raised new concerns about the building of the Glan Usk primary school on a contaminated land site in Newport, South Wales."

Also see ENDS Report 404, p 22.

Note that in a letter dated 11th October 2006 to Jessica Morden MP, Stewart Wild, Head of Planning had stated:
".... Following consultation with statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) it was decided that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required."

But in a letter dated 13th March 2009 to local resident John Martin, Gareth O'Shea of Environment Agency Wales wrote:
"According to our records, we were not formally consulted on our opinion as to whether an EIA was required and we have not been consulted on the scoping of an EIA."

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 404, September 2008: School set for former PCB landfill site without EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

Refers to concerns for the safety of staff and pupils at the new school.

Not directly related to landfill schools, but another example of the loss of land to developers resulting in increased pressures on the existing infrastructure, and future generations having fewer options for essential developments or for growing food locally.

David Hando writes about the plea from a pupil of Durham Road School not to "demolish such a beautiful, old and historical school building."

Unfortunately, Newport council had decided the fate of the building a long time ago by losing control of this building when it formulated the PFI deal.

Refers to the doubts about whether Newport council did consult the Environment Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales before making the decision to bypass the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

Newport council says that it did consult the Environment Agency. But the Environment Agency said that it wasn't consulted.

Refers to the planting of a tree into the capping layer above the landfill.

Let's hope they washed their hands afterwards.

Another article that refers to the severely contaminated land at the Glebelands.

Jonathan Keen, principal environmental health officer said that the overall risk classification for the site was 'high'.

Refers to the removal of 2,200 tonnes of material including 450 drums of PCB waste.

No mention of any local residents being satisfied with the actions taken.

Refers to the closure of part of the Glebelands following the discovery of more PCB wastes.

A spokesman for the council said that any potential contaminants were well below the surface and would not be disturbed through general recreational use and that the decision to fence off the area was taken as an added precaution over and above recommended action.

Refers to the need for Newport council to start consultations on extending the age range at Glan Usk school before the formal process of closing Rockfield Nursery can begin.

It's not clear whether the potential health risks of sending such young children to a landfill school will be considered as part of the consultation exercise.

Refers to members of Newport City Council cabinet inviting the contractors working on the new school to a special meeting after residents had raised concerns about the project.

The contractors indicated that everything was going according to plan which seemed to satisfy the councillors.

The ENDS Report summary to this article states "A former hazardous chemical waste landfill site in Newport is set for redevelopment but the local authority is under attack over its failure to conduct an environmental impact assessment."

Those who are not subscribers to the ENDS Report may also find an excerpt from the ENDS Report article at:
http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/34590976/School-set-for-former-PCB-landfill-site-without-EIA

Other articles mentioning the Glebelands landfill school appeared in the following issues of ENDS Report:
- ENDS Report 412, May 2009: Agency confirms it was not consulted on EIA
- ENDS Report 417, October 2009: Battle over school plan for toxic site intensifies
- ENDS Report 422, March 2010: Inquiry reveals Glebelands’ impact assessment failures
- ENDS Report 427, August 2010: EIA regulations to be amended for England
- ENDS Report 440, September 2011: New EIA laws tighten rules

Campaigners continue to show their opposition to the scheme, highlighting the poor storage of toxic waste and the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The newsprint edition included pictures of bags of toxic waste being stored open to the elements and, as a result, a dangerous source of hazardous airborne contamination.

The Argus writes, "... we should not close our eyes and ears to the sincerely held beliefs of those who feel the ground may still contain toxic materials.

"It is desirable, therefore, that the council should keep testing the soil, the air and anything else that may need testing in order to ensure that the health of the pupils is never compromised."

Refers to the signing of contracts for the new school between developers Vinci Investments Ltd and Newport City Council.

A most interesting and enlightened piece of writing by Gary Baker, with memories of Walter Waters.

Gary Baker wrote, "So, when the air-borne pollution that is bound to come - especially when digging up the Glebelands during the summer - is sent across the way of Stockton Road and Durham Road, the man who called it 'fantastic' - Councillor Bob Poole - will be far and away from the scene."

Refers to an announcement by Newport Council that the financial agreement with developers for the new school at the Glebelands will be signed in March 2008.

Also notes that discussions were taking place between Vinci and other developers about the housing development after Charles Church Developments Ltd withdrew from the scheme.

Refers to a reduction in the number of lorry journeys per week to and from the site of the new school.

Refers to the new school being built on 5.91 acres at the Glebelands and the sale by Newport council of an separate area for residential development which will be used to partly fund the new school.

Refers to anger among campaigners opposed to building the new school on the toxic waste site. John Martin, Glebelands Action Group, said: "We don't want the project to go ahead because we don't want a school built on a contaminated site.

"And this PFI decision is putting our kids in debt to a private firm for the next 25 years."

Officials insist the site will be guaranteed safe for 25 years.  But Brian O'Donovan said: "I'm not convinced by their arguments, and neither are a lot of people.

"I don't want my grandchildren educated on an old waste tip."

St Julians councillor Ed Townsend said "I still agree it's the wrong place for a school but that battle was lost long ago."

Refers to the Assembly approving Newport council's business case granting £9.7 million of private finance initiative (PFI) credits to build the school on the Glebelands.

Apparently, the council will pay Vinci Investments to design, build, maintain and operate the school over a 25-year-period, after which the council will have control.

A Welsh Assembly press release stating that the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Brian Gibbons, has approved significant financial investment to support building a new school in Newport.

According to the press release, the new school will include a modern primary school, nursery provision, playing fields and all-weather multi purpose games area with floodlighting. The scheme also means that the community will benefit from the enhanced facilities provided including new changing rooms, crèche facilities and replacement public toilets.

Apparently, work cannot be started until the Assembly provides the final go-ahead to the Public Finance Initiative.

An Assembly spokesman said: "Newport City Council has very recently submitted a full business case which is currently being evaluated."

 

Refers to Vince Investments Ltd starting work on preparing the site of the new school at the Glebelands, installing temporary fencing and clearing vegetation.

Also refers to the proposed sale by Newport council of the former Compton Webb site to Charles Church for a housing development.

The Argus report that work must start on the site before May 19 otherwise planning consent will run out and planning applications will need to be resubmitted.

Refers to another public meeting at which developers failed to convince local residents that the Glebelands is the right place for the new school.

Apparently, the earlier claims of "putting a concrete cap on the site" and/or "filling it with clean material and laying down a clay cap before any building work commenced" had now, two years on, become "the contaminated ground beneath the site would be cleared and guaranteed safe for 25 years, with an under-floor barrier planned, along with a soil capping layer".

Brian Donovan, from the Glebelands Action Group, said: "I've got three grandchildren, and I wouldn't want them going there. They can't make this site 100 per cent safe."

Chris Hill, also from the Glebelands Action Group, said: "The long term effects won't be known for perhaps 50 years. We want a school, but not on this site."

" . . . there are concerns that the parkland they are building on has 10ft of untreated toxic waste underneath it, which allegedly includes arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestos and methane. This has angered some residents, as there are also plans to include 150 houses on the site too.

Refers to toxic waste such as arsenic, mercury and ammonium being discovered at the site of the planned school in Glebelands.

Apparently, the earlier idea of two weeks previously, namely, "putting a concrete cap on the site" had now become: "filling it with clean material and laying down a clay cap before any building work commenced."

The plan proposed building a school for around 630 pupils on the hazardous waste landfill site, and 142 new homes nearby.

(Presumably, no one had considered doing things a little differently - such as building 142 new homes on the hazardous waste landfill site, and a school for around 630 pupils nearby.)

Refers to a warning to Newport council by National Assembly officers urging Newport council to ensure that it considers the matter fully before taking a decision to grant full planning permission for the new school.

Includes mention of some of the contaminants found on the site. Includes arsenic, benzene, lead, mercury, nickel and others which are are designated C7, which means they are carcinogenic.

According to Newport council, the contaminants problem can be overcome by putting a concrete cap on the site.

Refers to an opportunity to view plans for the new school and includes summary of planning activities.

Refers to decision by Newport council not to use cash allocated by the Assembly to rebuild or repair Durham Road schools.

Refers to the growing concern that local authorities left with little option but to take the government's preferred PFI option may be cutting corners that could put the lives of pupils and staff at risk.

The Argus reports that carcinogens have been removed from the Glebelands.

Apparently, 40 tonnes of severely contaminated material were removed from the site.

South Wales East AM Mike German and Newport East AM John Griffiths claim they had requested information about the waste but were refused access.

John Martin, Glebelands Action Group said that they were calling for proper access to information; an independent inquiry; and a referendum of local people and parents to decide the future of the site.

Mr Griffiths commented, "The experts say this site can be made safe and I have to believe them. The unfortunate thing about this case is that when these findings are not made public, it fuels the suspicions of those who believe there is a cover-up."

The Argus reports that the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke announced that, although he did not support the proposals, he would not got to court to stop Newport council going ahead with the scheme.

Newport council states that the decision to build at the Glebelands was taken after very careful consideration and consultation with independent consultants.

Full planning permission now has to be gained. As part of this process the local community will continue to be consulted, along with the Environment Agency, Welsh Water and other organisations concerned with making sure that the development will be safe.

"Planning permission will only be granted if the developers meet the stringent conditions that have been given, including the detailing of processes used to make the site safe and future monitoring of the site."

An interesting discussion about the decisions about where to site the new school, stating "... but after soil testing Newport council decided to sell the clean site to housing developers and put the school and accompanying nursery on the toxic waste dump."

Also includes a discussion about an Assembly motion to include the consideration of health risks within the planning approval process.

As Lesley McCarthy put it so well, "What seems to be the priority here – money or children’s health?"

The Argus reports: Sir Harry Jones was very quick to ask who would bear the cost of further tests, and if the contractor wants to keep any information confidential then it's out of the council's hands. "They're putting their finances in front of our children's health and safety."

According to Newport council, the school can be built the Glebelands landfill site without any risk to health.

But a report on the Glebelands recommended further data collection to confirm the site is safe.

Chris Hill, Glebelands Action Group, commented that the report says what they already know: that this land is very contaminated and that there needs to be more tests.

Click here to see a copy of the receipt received from Newport Council for the petition and letters.

 

Another article concerning fresh data from researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Mike Childs, senior waste campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "This study adds to our fears for babies being born near toxic landfill sites.

"This is the third study showing that toxic landfill sites are a real health risk."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said "Women are advised to continue to follow the standard advice on antenatal care; nevertheless we agree with the authors of the Eurohazcon study that further research is needed, and work on the exposure of residents near landfill sites is under way as part of the government's continuing programme of work on landfill sites and health."

This article presents new evidence since the original Eurohazcon study in 1998.

Apparently, this latest study, published in The Lancet, showed that people who live within 3km (1.9 miles) of 23 sites that take hazardous waste were 40 per cent more likely to have a child with chromosomal abnormality.

Friends of the Earth said that the findings required immediate action. "This study adds to our fears for babies being born near toxic landfill sites," said Mike Childs, its industry and pollution campaigner.

Mike Buckingham meets Peter Clarke, Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Relationship between campaigners and Newport Council falls to a new low when the then leader of Newport Council, Harry Jones said councillors who were members of the planning committee must leave the chamber on the grounds that they might be influenced by what was said by the then Children's Commissioner, Peter Clarke.

Refers to Newport council giving in to pressure to seek independent advice on plans to build a new school on the site of a former waste tip.

Announcing that Newport would be employing an independent toxicologist, council leader Harry Jones said the well-being of the county's school children was "a matter of paramount concern".

But there is still no mention of following the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

Parents and residents opposed to the site remain unconvinced and still want the project abandoned on health grounds.

Glebelands site is closed off after discovery of carcinogenic substances during construction of sewage system - and another controversy of mis-information and cover-up is born.

Refers to Peter Clarke statement that schools in Conwy and Newport should not be built on the ex-landfill sites because current scientific evidence was limited.

Children's rights group Rebecca - Children's Right to a Safe Environment - called on the Welsh Assembly for Wales to scrap the plan.

It claimed a full risk assessment was not carried out on the proposals.

Refers to anticipated announcement by the late Peter Clarke, the then Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Apparently, his objections to building schools on former waste sites were about to be communicated to the National Assembly.

Mr Clarke said in August that he was "left with a degree of unease", having seen a new scientific study which found a link between landfill sites - some of which contain poisonous wastes - and birth defects.

Refers to SAHSU study and a public meeting in Newport called by the Glebelands Action Group to discuss council proposals to put a school on a former landfill tip.

Newport County Council said it will make the site safe.

But children's rights group Rebecca - Children's Right to a Safe Environment - has called on the National Assembly for Wales to scrap the plan. Lesley McCarthy said an assessment document put together by the council was "not the detailed risk assessment called for by Welsh Environment Minister Sue Essex."

Still no mention of there being an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Val Jeans of the Glebelands Action Group said: "There were no reassurances. I cannot see how they can justify putting a school on a site that is poisonous."

Refers to rare birth defects among families living close to the Nantygwyddon landfill site in Rhondda, south Wales.

Harriet Medlicott was born with a deformed windpipe and she has had to undergo three major operations.

Her mother Natalie, from Gelli, Rhondda, had spoken with the parents of other children with birth defects in the area, some with the rare condition of gastroschisis, where the intestines are outside the stomach.

She said that there are a lot of birth defects and welcomed the government's report [SAHSU study] linking landfill sites with some health problems and birth defects.

Refers to the proposed siting of new schools in Newport and Conwy on severely contaminated land, while the existing school locations are sold off for houses (Newport) and retail development (Conwy).

Other similarities exist between the two proposals, including:
(1) both developments are in contradiction of the areas development plans, which were agreed in consultation with local communities;
(2) serious concern as to where the new schools are to be sited - both councils appear to have concluded that they could not afford to pay for other sites.
(3) both councils have refused to release information to parents.

Refers to the SAHSU study (see above).

Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services Jane Hutt said:
"This is an important report. Health concerns about a landfill site in Wales was one of the triggers for this study. As a result of a health study into the Nantygwyddon site, the Chief Medical Officer of the Welsh Office called for a wider examination of the hypothesis that there might be increased health risks for populations living close to landfill sites. The study published today fulfills that request. "The report’s conclusions provides some reassurance – it has found no link with increased rates of cancer. The small increased risk for congenital anomalies, however, points to a need for further work and the current Government-funded research programme will take this forward."

Assembly Minister for Environment Sue Essex said: "We need to know whether there are risks to health and minimise them if they exist. But prevention is better than cure."

Refers to the SAHSU study (see above).

Assembly Minister for Environment Sue Essex. She said: "People are rightly concerned about the health effects of landfill sites and other forms of waste disposal.

"We need to know whether there are risks to health and minimise them if they exist. But prevention is better than cure."

A major study into the possible health risks for populations living around landfill sites. The Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) studied the rates of birth defects, low birth weight, stillbirths, and of certain cancers in populations living within 2km of landfill sites.

Pregnant women have a 1% higher risk of having a baby with a congenital defect, if they live near a landfill site.

This rises to a 7% higher risk for pregnant women living near landfill sites containing hazardous waste.

Pregnant women have a 5% greater risk of low birth weight babies, but no higher risk of stillbirths.

Refers to government-backed SAHSU study published in the British Medical Journal on 17 August 2001.

Pregnant women have a 1% higher risk of having a baby with a congenital defect, if they live near a landfill site.

This rises to a 7% higher risk for pregnant women living near landfill sites containing hazardous waste.

Pregnant women have a 5% greater risk of low birth weight babies, but no higher risk of stillbirths.

Dr Pat Troop, the government's deputy chief medical officer, said "We cannot say there is no risk from landfill sites..."

Refers to a similar scheme to build a school on contaminated land in Conwy.

Mentions approximately 6.5 hectares for the new school with a multi-use games area for 630 pupils plus 26 full-time equivalent nursery places.

The facilities at the new school will be available for community use.

The new site is described as being within a broadly defined flood risk area close to the river, so tidal defences needed to be reviewed. Due to the use of the site for industrial use a rigorous remediation strategy was necessary to satisfy planning authorities before approval was finally given.

National Assembly approve financing plans for new school at the Glebelands, but members of Glebelands Action Group don't want school built on the toxic waste. Great loss to the community if the new school is built on the running track or any part of the Glebelands. Instead, school should be built on site of the former Compton Webb clothing factory.

Pupils at Durham Road School could be in a new building within two years, a council official has revealed.

The EUROHAZCON study shows a raised risk of congenital anomaly in babies whose mothers live close to landfill sites that handle hazardous chemical wastes, although there is a need for further investigation of whether the association of raised risk of congenital anomaly and residence near landfill sites is a causal one.

Babies are more likely to suffer from serious birth defects such as spina bifida and heart malformations if their mothers live close to toxic waste landfill dumps. Refers to the EUROHAZCON study.

Growing food crops in Newport council allotments on top of a hazardous waste landfill site has finally started raising alarm bells. Tests of soil and crops in north Glebelands proposed. But Newport council environmental health officers claim that they are using the sampling exercise "to demonstrate the success of the reclaimed site for amenity use".

However, following some soil testing at a very shallow depth (six inches), all the allotment holders eventually vacated the site.

Relates to the proposed testing of soil samples in north Glebelands where Newport council had permitted up to 103 allotment plots to be developed on top of the toxic fill material.

More worrying were the findings of the Environmental Advisory Unit (EAU) of Liverpool University concerning the south Glebelands where a housing development had been proposed. The EAU report highlighted the hazards associated with disturbing the south Glebelands landfill, and advised against residential developments having gardens.

'Save the Glebelands Campaign' protests at plans to sell recreation area and parkland at the Glebelands to pay for Newport Council's controversial and, ultimately, ill conceived Usk Barrage project.