Yes, the site will look different, but until a remediation strategy has been prepared and agreed with the Environment Agency we are not able to provide more information. How the site looks after it has been remediated will depend on the method used. We will provide further updates when more information is available. 

The site has been designated as contaminated land. The Environment Agency assumed responsibility as the regulator for the site from 2007. The Environment Agency also secured the site to prevent public access. 

Most of the material was a byproduct of historical oil refining processes, known as acid tar waste. 

The waste was disposed of at the site by a company called Lobitos Oilfields Ltd, the former name of Lubricants UK Limited. The waste came from the company's Ellesmere Port refinery. 

The site has no apparent legal owner. At no point has it been owned by LUKL. Waste disposal in the 1950s and 1960s was undertaken under an agreement with the then owners, Cestrian Brick Limited (which has since been liquidated). LUKL - in agreement with the Environment Agency - is moving forward with a plan to remediate the site. 

The next stage of work relates to further clearance of vegetation and construction of sampling platforms, to allow machinery to be able to access the site and further sampling and testing work to commence. The site is relatively secluded and therefore it is not likely that residents of Hoole Bank will experience disturbance during this stage. 

For later stages of the project, such as the remediation works themselves, we will be required to secure necessary planning consents. These will ensure that matters such as road traffic, noise and other environmental changes at the site are appropriately considered and mitigation measures designed to reduce impacts on the local community are included. This website will be updated on a regular basis such that more information is provided to residents on the current and next stages of work. 

This is land that has been determined to be contaminated by a local authority pursuant to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 

Remediation is the process of addressing problems in the environment, for example those caused by pollutants or contaminants. It involves identifying the issue, coming up with a plan, and taking appropriate action to protect the affected area. This can include activities like containing, removing or reducing pollutants from soil, water, or air, and making sure that the environment meets acceptable standards. Remediation requires specialised knowledge, advanced technologies, and following regulations to ensure it is done effectively and safely.