Oswestry wartime bombs building site work is under investigation

Two wartime bomb shells were found on Chartland Homes' building site off Artillery Road, Park Hall, in June, which is the site of a former army camp.

Ground works were halted and series of planned explosions took place in October, before asbestos was also found in parts of the site.

Concerns regarding the site have been raised with the Health and Safety Executive, and the body has confirmed it is investigating the site.

A spokeswoman said: "“HSE is aware of the concern raised and investigating. Concerns have been brought to our attention regarding the management of the site and we are investigating them. We cannot comment further at this time.”

Project manager for Chartland Homes, Andrew Jones, has said the investigation is a process that needs to take place due to the detonations that took place near the site in October.

He said: "With the Health and Safety investigation, that is just something that is needed because of the finds on the site, it is a process that they have to go through.

Resolved

"They began investigation after we did the detonations in October, so they have to become involved, and they have to investigate how it was carried out."

A full contamination assessment has been completed now, and Mr Jones has said they are waiting for the go-ahead from Shropshire Council to carry out the remedial works with regards to asbestos, with authority saying any further work is at the developers' risk.

Mr Jones also said there is limited work taking place on the site, but he is hoping the situation can be resolved in the New Year.

He added: "We are waiting for the go-ahead on the remedial works. We have done the contamination assessment, and we are waiting on the go-ahead from them to carry out the remedial works.

"There are a few forms and methods that can be done, some of it is dealt with on site and some taken off site, and we want to do that as soon as we can.

"There is very limited work taking place on the site and we are hoping to get everything sorted and began work in the new year."