First part of investigation completed on the former landfill site at Commonside, Alvanley
Consultants Aecom have now completed the first part of their ongoing investigation to determine whether the former landfill site at Commonside, Alvanley, meets the legal definition of contaminated land as required under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
In January 2025 Cheshire West and Chester Council appointed the specialist environmental consultancy firm, Aecom, following a review of the site by Council officers starting in 2023 and water and sediment sampling in 2024. The investigation is being overseen by a cross party Member Task and Finish Group.
The first part of the investigation consisted of information gathering and sampling, while the final part will include on-site, intrusive monitoring. It is anticipated that work on site will start in September and is expected to last for about two weeks. This will then be followed by a period of monitoring that is expected to take approximately six months to complete, to be followed by analysis of all the data before the outcome is known and a report is submitted to Cabinet provisionally by Summer 2026.
In June, the Council made an appeal for any additional information to be provided to the Member Task and Finish Group.
Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said:
We are keen to hear from anyone who can provide information about the former landfill site, particularly information collected before, during or shortly after the operation of the site between 1955 and 1975. Anyone with knowledge of local drains installed around the former landfill site and adjoining land (past and present) can contact us, as this information may well be relevant to the final part of the investigation.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Council and share information as soon as possible, including in the following categories::
- any photographs that show the site
- any written records that refer to the site such as letters, documents, or newspaper reports
- any knowledge of ownership details past and present
- first-hand information people may have from discussion with the former site owner, employees, family members, nearby landowners etc.
Relevant information can be submitted in writing to: environmentalprotection@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Or make an appointment to speak to an officer in the Council’s environmental protection team.