Minutes:
Question from Councillor Chewings to Councillor Inglis.
“Public concern remains regarding the land on Tollerton Park Estate, fuelled by ongoing media reporting and the activities of campaign groups, and residents deserve clear, unambiguous answers to questions of safety.
Could Councillor Inglis tell us what action has been taken to help residents and support them in getting definitive answers to their questions regarding the safety of the land where they grow vegetables, and what further action can be taken by this Council to help residents get the answers they require.”
Councillor Inglis advised that as stated in his response to Mr Gaff’s question at the Council meeting on 17 July 2025, the Council had undertaken considerable work to respond to concerns raised by Park Home residents. He acknowledged that many residents might not have been living on site when the Council carried out an investigative survey in 2008, with the report available on the Council’s website. He reiterated that the report had concluded that the site did not meet the statutory definition of contaminated land, with a reassessment in 2017, when further development took place, which came to the same conclusion. The Council was not aware of any circumstances in the intervening period, which would change that conclusion.
However, given the technical nature of the report and recent concerns expressed by residents, Councillor Inglis confirmed that the Council had written a letter and briefing note, which had been hand delivered to residents on 7 July, and had been widely welcomed by many residents and ward members for the Council and County Council, who had been working hard on their residents’ behalf. The accompanying letter also included good practice information on ensuring the safety of fruit and vegetables for human consumption given that it was not within the Council’s role or remit to give any further assurance. Key elements of the briefing note were also available on a Council FAQ website, which demonstrated the Council’s desire to ensure that all local residents were appropriately updated. This commitment was also evident when the Council met and updated the Rushcliffe MP on 23 July. Councillor Inglis stated that the Council continued to work with other relevant regulatory agencies and would add further information to its FAQ site when it became available.
The Mayor asked Councillor Chewings if he had a supplementary question.
Councillor Chewings referred to the question raised by Mr Gaff and to Councillor Inglis’ response at the Council meeting; however he felt that the letter, response, and briefing note had not answered Mr Gaff’s specific questions, and he asked Councillor Inglis if he agreed that the failure to address those clear questions undermined residents’ confidence.
Councillor Inglis reiterated that the Council was not in a position to give that advice, and it would be unwise to give categorical assurances when there were so many variables. It was not within the Council’s role or remit to make a decision on homegrown produce, rather it could provide advice and guidance based on the 2008 investigation and available information.