Land contamination strategy for former Shell site

Brief site history

During 1947–1952 Petro-Carbon ltd began to build what would later become known as the Shell Site. The estate was leased on 1 October 1968 to Shell Chemicals who in 1957 had purchased a propylene oxide plant along the moss's northern edge. Shell had built an ethylene oxide plant in 1958 and began to produce polyether polyols the following year.  By 1994, four distinct plants operated on the 3,500-acre site, producing a range of chemicals, and materials including polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene. In 2005 it was reported that Shell would close their polyols and ethoxylates units, a decision which came into effect in 2007. 

PFAS Contamination

What are PFAS?

Per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are used in everyday products.  

Have you bought a Teflon frying pan? Is there PTFE in your bike oil? PFAS has been used in everyday products from food packaging, toiletries and non-stick cookware to clothing and carpets since the 1950's. PFAS are often referred to as the ‘forever chemicals’ because of their extreme persistence in the environment. Some forms of PFAS can take over 1000 years to degrade. 

PFAS was used on the former Shell site by the Shell Fire service found in the fire fighting foam. The contamination is mostly limited to the fire training areas, but will travel in the ground aided by the groundwater.

The PFAS used in our everyday products leak into our environment during production, use and disposal, and some PFAS are known to accumulate in people, animals and plants and are linked to a range of health problems including kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol and pregnancy-induced hypertension. 

Where is the PFAS

Ensuring public safety

The following regulators are fully engaged with Wain Estates to ensure the remediation strategy will make the locations for residential development safe for Human health, now and in the future.

Current planning applications for planning condition Number 22