Three towns back proposed law on contaminated land

Three town councils have supported a proposed law to ensure greater transparency over contaminated land, after North Northamptonshire Council rejected it in March.

Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough town councils have passed motions supporting the principles of Zane's Law which is named after Zane Gbangbola, whose parents say was killed by gas from landfill when their home in Surrey flooded in 2014.

Ben Williams, Green councillor who proposed the original motion at North Northants Council, called it a "phenomenal example of solidarity between our three biggest towns".

North Northants said it would consider it if it became law, but there could be financial and other implications for councils.

Children in Corby were born with birth defects believed to have been caused by industrial pollution when the town's steelworks were dismantled in the 1980s.

Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough town councils have also agreed to sign a joint letter of support to local MPs and the leader of Reform UK-run North Northamptonshire Council.

"This shows the real power communities can have in highlighting issues that are greatly important to them, and that they do not need to wait for their local authority to do it for them," said Williams.

He added that it "unifies the call for clean land in an area with a toxic history of it".

Kye Gbangbola, father of Zane, who was seven years old when he died in Chertsey, said: "Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough are leading by example, supported by public authorities across the country, supporting enforceable law that will protect our communities, families and children from the harms of contaminated land and related polluted water.

"As parents, Nicole and I have suffered the ultimate loss — the loss of a beautiful child — and we want to prevent this happening to others.

"North Northamptonshire Council, please support this powerful and much-needed call."

Zane's Law would ensure all potentially contaminated land was identified with details made public, was regularly inspected and was properly cleaned up.

Its supporters said it would mean councils would be given funding, resources and powers to act.

Kirk Harrison, executive councillor for regulatory services at North Northants, said: "The council is not prepared to support the principle of new legislation without first understanding its legal, financial and operational implications.

"Any proposal of this nature would need to be considered on its merits, with a clear understanding of the responsibilities it would place on local authorities, landowners and other public bodies.

"Should detailed proposals come forward in the future, they can be considered in the normal way, based on the evidence available at the time."

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