18/12/2025
As part of the planning application for the (now complete) Annexe building project at the village hall, a series of test bore holes were required to be made. Unfortunately, traces of heavy metals were discovered in the soil of the village hall garden. This testing process was undertaken during the summer, and, as the initial results of the testing were ambiguous, the order was made for more rigorous testing across the whole property. That more extensive and detailed testing has now been completed, (having taken place during November 2025). To-date, the cost of this testing has been met by the Village Hall.
Whilst we are working through the implications of the results of the tests taken in November with Basingstoke & Deane Environmental Team and our appointed testing organisation STM Environmental, the Trustees and Management Committee are required to take the precautionary step of closing the village hall garden until a resolution is agreed and implemented. This is because any contamination levels are referenced to the new national guidelines particularly whereby very young children may be on the outside grassed area of the property, (i.e. the Playgroup.) Adults are assessed at a different level and are unaffected.
The Village Hall management have worked with the Play Group to create an alternative, temporary yet secure outdoor play area for the playgroup using part of the carpark.
The main resolution currently being explored is the complete removal of soil to the depth of 450mm in the localised areas of contamination and the subsequent replacement of that soil with clean imported topsoil. This will be a very costly but necessary process.
At the Open Meeting on 16th January, the Trustees and Management Committee will share more details regarding the testing that has already taken place and outline a number of options around the timing and various stages of the resolution.