Anthrax fears delay project

A major housing project by Persimmon Homes has been delayed after fears that the 50 acre site may be infected with potentially lethal Anthrax spores.

Persimmon has called in consultants to ascertain whether work needs to be carried out to render safe the site at Westbury Leigh in Wiltshire on which the contractor has an option. A proposal for a development of 800 houses, a superstore and school on the site part of which formerly housed a tannery, is currently before West Wiltshire district council.

The alert was given after concern by local inhabitants that anthrax spores may have been carried downstream from the site to a farm two miles away near Westbury where three cattle have died of Anthrax since June.

Local residents fear that the spores could have come from the disused tannery where infected animal hides are thought to be buried, and that construction work could disturb spores that have lain dormant for years.

Persimmon said that it was too early to say how long the project would be delayed for or how much it would cost the company. But Peter Norris, land director at Persimmon Homes (Wessex), said: "The company is currently preparing to deal with any potential contamination on the site, including safeguards to ensure the safety of both the public and construction staff, and a report will be submitted to the council for approval."

John Carter, principal environmental officer at West Wiltshire district council said: "Our planning committee is keen to get the matter sorted out at an earlier rather than a later stage and we hope that it will not take too long because neither the council nor Persimmon want a delay."