Gravesham Borough Council has issued a statement addressing concerns about contamination at Northfleet Harbourside, which was cited as a reason for refusing a proposed development. The council is seeking further clarification from the Secretary of State.
Councillor John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, expressed concern over the references to site contamination linked to Britannia Refined Metals (BRM) in the refusal decision. He stated, "When we received the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse the Northfleet Harbourside application, we were as concerned as local residents over the references to levels of contamination on site from the operations of Britannia Refined Metals, one of the reasons given for that refusal."
Following the refusal, the council collaborated with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to assess site emissions and potential risks. The UKHSA concluded that lead emissions from BRM’s current operations pose no significant health risk to the existing local population.
Despite the UKHSA findings, Councillor Burden noted that they raise further questions about the refusal decision. The council is seeking to understand if BRM's operations have previously caused unsafe emissions, why BRM presented contamination as a serious issue, and if there are future risks.
The council warns that citing contamination as a reason for refusal could render one of the borough’s largest brownfield sites undeliverable for future development. Councillor Burden has written to the Secretary of State to inquire whether BRM’s expert witness evidence was sufficiently challenged and appropriately weighted in the decision.
