Barrels of Chemicals Removed from Approved Development Site in Islip Fuel Depot

In a recent development, barrels of chemicals left at the approved development site in Islip fuel depot, located in Oxfordshire, have been successfully removed and tested for safety.

The former Royal Air Force and Esso fuel storage and transfer facility has now been granted outline planning permission to construct housing, including affordable housing units.

Activists raised concerns after the discovery of approximately 40 barrels of firefighting foam containing PFAS, a group of chemicals known as forever chemicals, that had been left at the site for years.

Nucor, the developer responsible for the site, has assured that any potential contamination has been identified and promptly addressed.

The depot’s past association with supplying fuel to the former RAF Upper Heyford, suspected to be the source of PFAS contamination, has raised further concerns.

Hugo Llewellyn, the CEO of Nucor overseeing the site’s regeneration with a focus on 50% affordable housing, emphasized the responsible removal of the barrels upon discovery.

Disputes regarding the quality of tests conducted by activists have arisen, with Mr Llewellyn maintaining the proactive approach taken by Nucor in addressing potential risks.

Environmental concerns have prompted the intervention of the Environment Agency’s chemicals compliance team to ensure proper management of the drums on-site.