GAZETTE & HERALD: CAMPAIGNERS who lost their fight against a Corsham housing development will now devote their energy to warning new residents their homes are built on previously contaminated land.

North Wiltshire District Council gave permission to developers Persimmon Homes to build 78 homes at Pockeredge Farm earlier this month and a further 230 houses at another meeting on February 11.

Now residents say they will make it their duty to warn buyers that part of the development at Pockeredge Farm and Peel Circus is on former Ministry of Defence land, which was contaminated with asbestos and picric acid.

But environmental health officers have persistently denied the land poses any public health concerns.

Don Stevenson, 67, of Hatton Way, which will back on to part of the development, said: "We won't know the full consequences of disturbing that soil until five or ten years from now.

"Health-related problems with asbestos can take many years before they manifest themselves.

"Local people know what has happened here, but what about people moving into the new houses?

"We want to make people aware of the situation and the potential risks before they consider buying one."

Mr Stevenson's wife, Doreen, 63, said: "We didn't go to the last meeting because the council just does not take any notice of anything we say. It's absolutely disgusting.

"We think it is unfortunate that all the social housing appears together and is not peppered throughout the estate. I think if it was dispersed it would create a much nicer atmosphere for everyone and no-one would feel excluded."

The development will eventually include 600 homes.