Fears over 'forever chemicals' at development site

Concerns have been raised about potential chemical pollution at a former RAF base earmarked for development in Oxfordshire.

Former RAF Upper Heyford, which was active during World War Two, is the proposed site of 9,000 new homes.

Residents fear the land may be contaminated with PFAS, a group of substances often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they can take thousands of years to break down.

Site owners Dorchester Living said the development would proceed in line with national and environmental guidance.

PFAS have been used in some firefighting foams, which were deployed extensively at airports and military bases for decades.

Concerns were heightened after a residents' petition claimed Environment Agency water quality data from a brook more than 2.5 miles (4km) downstream of the site showed PFAS levels 20 times higher than precautionary guidelines.

The BBC has not been able to confirm the data and has approached the Environment Agency for comment.

The source of the stream, known as Gallos Brook, is an aquifer from within the old airbase.

James Hunkin from the Heyford Park Community Action Group said residents wanted urgent and comprehensive testing to understand the situation and any potential risks.

"Residents are increasingly worried about the reported PFAS levels and the potential long-term implications, particularly given that children and pets regularly play in the local streams," he said.

He added that the group was not opposed to development and wanted to "work constructively with the developer to ensure Heyford Park evolves into a safe, transparent, and well-managed community".

In its response to the planning application, the Environment Agency said the site's former use as an RAF base presented a medium risk of contamination.

It said it could not support the development because the application did not demonstrate that risks to water quality from wastewater and drainage could be managed safely.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said decisions on planning permission ultimately rested with local authorities.

Cherwell District Council said all material issues raised by residents would be considered when the application was presented to its planning committee.

Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said Heyford Park was a long‑established brownfield site that has been redeveloped for more than a decade, delivering homes and facilities under approved planning permissions.

He said extensive environmental investigations and remediation had already been carried out in consultation with the Environment Agency.

"The regeneration of Heyford Park through a controlled and regulated planning process offers far greater environmental protection than leaving the land unmanaged or undeveloped," he added.

In February, the government launched a PFAS plan, which includes increasing testing for them in the environment to tackle the substances.