Labour Run Leicester City Council. Building of new school delayed and costs increase by £5 million as site is contaminated

It has been reported today on the Leicestershire Live (Leicester Mercury website) the building of a new 900 place Waterside Primary School on a former allotment site on Fosse Road North is delayed and costs increased by £5 million due to failing to notice serious contamination on the site.

Council bosses were under the impression the land was an allotment site but further details have emerged from older local residents who have advised the land was originally a rubbish dump! Large amounts of rubbish and asbestos had failed to be found during test pit drilling.

Work has now halted on the site and a further £5 million will need to be spent before building begins. The school had hoped to be open in September, but this is expected to be delayed by two years.

The Council had already spent £1.5 million pounds on the project before it was suspended.