Pause housing development on land contaminated with PFAS

PFAS chemicals are known as 'forever chemicals' which cause severe health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system disorders. They persist in the environment indefinitely and can easily spread through groundwater and soil, posing a direct threat to future residents and the local ecosystem.

Gallos Brook (Leys Farm Ditch branch) near Caulcott currently has the highest concentration of PFAS “forever chemicals” of any waterbody tested in England. That is a scientific fact. Published by the British Geological Survey, UK Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, and the Environment Agency. The reading was 2,021 ng/L. That is over 20 times the safe limit. This is Critically High. Gallos brook starts on Upper Heyford Air Base and follows along the periphery of the development. We believe the contamination stems from the use of AFFFs (Aqueous film forming foam) used extensively on airbases.

Developers want to build 9,000 homes, schools and play areas on top of contaminated land, unearthing more PFAS and spreading it widely into the environment

Our Demand: We, the undersigned, call upon the relevant authorities to take immediate action to protect Public Health and The Environment:

• The Environment Agency: Launch an urgent, independent investigation to identify the exact source of this extreme PFAS pollution and map the full extent of the contamination. Include all rivers and water courses that spring from the Air Base.  
  
  
• Cherwell District Council & Oxfordshire County Council: Formally declare the proposed housing development site as potentially contaminated land. Demand independent PFAS testing of the watercourse, groundwater and soil across the site and make the results public. Stipulate a pause on new homes until full testing and prevention measures are implemented and the land is deemed to be 'safe' by external assessors' . Require a full Environmental Impact Assessment that specifically addresses PFAS contamination.
  
  
• Developers and Planners:  All construction: moving earth or disturbing water courses must be halted until rigorous independent testing confirms the site is safe.  Mandate that any developments in the area must strictly account for serious contamination risks. 

Why This Matters: Building homes on land with potentially high levels of PFAS contamination is a gamble with human lives. 

We cannot allow profit or housing targets to override the safety of future families and the health of our community, and our natural environment.

We demand transparency, rigorous testing, and the prioritization of public safety over development speed.

Sign this petition to demand action now.

This isn’t just an environmental issue—this is about human lives, about our children’s lives. It's time for those in power to act responsibly and urgently address the dangers PFAS pose before irreversible damage is done.

We call on our local council, MPs and developers to prioritize health and safety over economic gain and to pause the housing development on contaminated land until it is made safe.

Join us in standing up for our health and environment. Sign this petition and make your voice heard in demanding action now.

 

References: 

EA data for Gallos Brook: ​

National PFAS study ​

ITVs documentary In our Blood