"A perennially burning area of land in east London has been officially declared contaminated following a judicial review. Campaign group Clean Air in Havering had legally challenged the council over its decision not to label Arnolds Field in Launders Lane, Rainham, as contaminated. The fire brigade has been called to the former illegal landfill site 160 times within the past three years and it has become known as the Rainham Volcano for its constantly smouldering underground blazes."
"Havering Council said, following the High Court review, new guidance about the impact of smoke led to the revised designation under the Environmental Protection Act. Council leader Ray Morgon said: "For too long, residents have suffered the consequences of fires from Launders Lane. "By formally identifying the site as contaminated land, we are sending a clear message: we will not stand by while our residents' health and quality of life are put at risk.""
Arnolds Field in Launders Lane, Rainham, was formally designated contaminated after a judicial review following a legal challenge by Clean Air in Havering. The former illegal landfill has experienced persistent underground fires, prompting 160 fire brigade call-outs in three years and earning the name Rainham Volcano. Havering Council found the fires released harmful particulates linked to increased GP visits for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions and recognised repeated stress and negative physical and psychological reactions from smoke exposure. Soil analysis in November 2023 detected asbestos and various waste. The council will seek remediation with landowners and may serve a remediation notice if agreement cannot be reached.
Read at www.bbc.com
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