Courtaulds case study

Former Courtaulds Dunstall Hall Works,
Farndale Estate, Whitmore Reans

We launched an investigation into potential contamination on the Farndale Estate in 2005. This investigation was in response to information that parts of the former Courtaulds Dunstall Hall Works site may be contaminated with carbon disulphide, a chemical used in the manufacture of rayon (artificial silk).

The investigation involved the testing of approximately 300 properties as well as roadways and verges. As well as looking for carbon disulphide, we thought it would be sensible to undertake a full chemical analysis suite that may be present on this former industrial site. The investigation therefore looked for chemicals such as mineral oils, diesel oils and metals including copper, nickel and zinc.

The results revealed a small number of properties with high levels of carbon disulphide. We are now working in partnership with Akzo Nobel, the company who bought out Courtaulds in 1998, to remediate these areas. All other properties on the estate were given a clean bill of health.

While investigating for carbon disulphide we looked for any other contaminants that could have been left by the site’s industrial past. A small number of those investigated did have some chemicals present. We will be looking more into this over the summer of 2008. The people living in the properties needing further work have been advised of this.

Courtaulds residents newsletter

During the investigation into potential contamination on the Farndale Estate we kept residents informed of progress in many ways. One way we communicated with residents on the issues concerning them was through a newsletter. Copies of the newsletter are available to download by clicking on any of the PDF icons below.