As part of its plans to build a new depot on the former golf course at the Christie Miller site in Melksham, Wiltshire Council will install the fences later this month.
Starting Monday, September 15, grass cutting to prepare the site will be undertaken followed by the installation of site fencing. Utility surveys will be undertaken from Wednesday, September 17, across the entire site.
From the week commencing Monday, September 22, ground investigation work will begin. These activities are expected to take a couple of weeks to complete.
The council has said it wants to remind residents there is no public access to the site at any time.
In November 2023, the council’s cabinet approved a capital budget of £32,618 million for delivery of a new central area strategic depot at Melksham, on the site of the former golf course at Bowerhill.
The new strategic central depot will ensure our services are fit for purpose over the next 30 years and make us a more efficient organisation by reducing our overall number of depot sites.
The council is still in the planning stages of what this depot may look like, and which services may be included on the site.
According to the council, the ground investigations are a key step in understanding the ground conditions at the site and will include the excavation of 14 trial trenches, 4.5m deep, the drilling of 12 boreholes, and 11 Dynamic Probe Investigations each between six and 10 metres deep. These works will help to determine the composition of the ground and identify any potential contamination.
If any contamination is found, the contaminated materials will be safely contained on site and then removed for specialist disposal in accordance with environmental regulations.
Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for Highways, said: “These ground investigations are a vital part of our plans for the site and will help to inform any future planning application.
“We know that there have been some local concerns about potential radiation on the site; however, the levels of radiation we have found are low.
If a person was to sit for one hour every week for a whole year in the spot with the highest levels, they would get the same radiation exposure as having a single dental x-ray. If any contaminated material is found on the site, it will be removed and disposed of safely.
“Some local people have been using the site for leisure activities recently, but now that we have installed additional fencing and are using heavy machinery, people should not attempt to access the site as it is dangerous to do so.
“The ground investigations work will ensure that we fully understand the site conditions before any construction begins, helping us to deliver a safe, sustainable and efficient depot that supports our long-term service goals.”
Christie Miller site closed in October 2018 after an inspection by the council found that significant investment of up to £1 million would be needed to keep the building open and operating safely for customers and staff.
In 2022, the Wiltshire Times reported that demolition contractors working for the council had slaughtered more than 20 chicks and destroyed eggs and nests belonging to protected gulls.
The eggs and nests were removed by M&M Demolition workers that were demolishing the building ahead of potential redevelopment.
The council had obtained a licence from Natural England to destroy the gulls’ eggs and chicks but only after the building had been partially demolished.