THE discovery of contaminated land at a Bromsgrove school is set to add several thousand pounds to Worcestershire County Council's PFI project.

The Advertiser/Messenger has learnt that a survey conducted on the playing fields of South Bromsgrove High School, in Charford Road, discovered traces of arsenic and lead in the soil. These are believed to have come from the Lint Mill, which previously occupied the site.

Although the discovery will not delay the PFI scheme, which will see the rebuilding of seven schools, including South Bromsgrove, removing substances from the land will bump up the cost.

County councillor Sean Shannon (Lab-Bromsgrove West) said although the discovery of the substances could instil fear in parents and pupils, such findings are not unusual.

"Although arsenic and lead send out dangerous signals, it is not unusual, as they can be found in paint and such items," he said. It is quite normal for such discoveries, in fact you almost expect these kind of things from past activities on the site.

"It won't jeopardise the scheme, but it will cost the county several thousands of pounds to scrape away the traces and be replaced with in-fill."

A letter to parents from headteacher Phil McTague stressed that the discovery does not pose a risk to pupils, and he told the Advertiser/Messenger that there had been no concerns from parents.

"We have reassurance that it does not pose a risk to present or future children at the school. Letters were sent out, and parents have not responded at all," he said.

dan.harrison@midlands.

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