A former airbase earmarked for a major housing development is under scrutiny due to high levels of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ‘forever chemicals’.

These chemicals, which do not breakdown in the environment, accumulate in the body and are linked to cancers, thyroid disease and fertility problems.

A A national-scale preliminary overview study, published in Chemosphere, shows elevated levels in the surface water at the Leys Farm Ditch test site, a tributary of Gallos Brook which is around 4km away from RAF Upper Heyford.

The total PFAS concentrations in surface water reached up to 2,021 nanograms per litre.

Key compounds found at the site include PFOA, a Category 1 carcinogen, PFOS, PFHxS and fluorotelomer sulfonates, which are commonly associated with fire-fighting foams, which would have been used there when the site was operational from 1918 to 1994.

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Despite this, development on the former site is already underway, with 1,200 of a proposed 13,000 homes built over the past 15 years as part of a £5 billion project led by Dorchester Living.

While housing plans have since been reduced, with 9,000 of the homes removed from the government’s new towns scheme, these could still be built if approved by the local planning authority.

A strategic environmental assessment carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the former New Town raised concerns about the proposals.

In it, the Environment Agency suggested the need to remediate contaminated land, where appropriate. Especially, where New Towns are proposed on former airfields where PFAS and other emerging contaminants are likely to be present.

Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said: “The brownfield regeneration site has already had extensive remediation works completed including digging over 70 boreholes on site and testing contamination in ground water, and soils using a methodology agreed with the Environment agency and Cherwell District Council.

“As with many airfields, the historic use of the site means that there is potential for legacy contamination.

“This is not unique to Heyford Park and has already been identified in the site’s environmental assessments and Ground Conditions studies.

“These reports confirm that further targeted investigation is appropriate in specific areas. This is standard practice for the regeneration of brownfield sites.

“The regeneration of Heyford Park, through a controlled and regulated planning process, offers far greater environmental protection than leaving the land unmanaged or undeveloped.”

As part of the Government’s first ever PFAS plan, published earlier in February, it plans to develop new technical guidance for dealing with contamination under the planning regime.

The first incident occurred on the track just off the B4000 outside of Shrivenham, with the waste being found on Sunday, April 12.

Just three days later, the second pile was then reported nearby, leading to an appeal being published by Vale of White Horse District Council on Friday morning, April 17.

Posting photographs of both waste piles, Vale of White Horse council appealed to the public for further information.

A spokesman said: “If you know where this waste may have come from, or who was responsible for dumping it, please email envirocrime@southandvale.gov.uk or call 01235 422146.”

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Two piles were dumped near Shrivenham in the space of a few days. (Image: Vale of White Horse District Council)

Over in Kidlington, up to 30 lorries a day will now remove the illegal waste dump as the £8m clean-up begins.

Some 21,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste, including tyres, shredded plastic and household rubbish, is being removed starting Tuesday, April 14.

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Two piles were dumped near Shrivenham in the space of a few days. (Image: Vale of White Horse District Council)

Specialist teams from Acumen Waste Services will work “at pace”, shifting between 15 to 30 lorry loads a day to clear the site and tackle the damage caused by organised criminal gangs.

The cleanup is expected to last about six months.

Criminals dumped the waste across 8,000 square metres of land near the A34 in Kidlington – an area larger than the pitch at Wembley Stadium.

Environment Agency officers shut down the site in October 2025, months after it was first reported to Cherwell Council in June.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has been asked to consider allowing Category B licence holders—those with a standard car licence—to drive motorhomes weighing up to 4,250kg.

This is because motorhome weight often exceeds the current 3,500kg limit but stays under 4,250kg, and the current rules limit travel options for many standard licence holders.

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EU rule changes

The EU’s new directive extends this flexibility to include motorhomes—referred to as “motor caravans”—regardless of whether they are petrol, diesel, or zero emission.

Under the directive, EU member states can allow heavier motorhomes to be driven on a Category B licence, provided drivers complete at least seven hours of training, pass a relevant test, or both.

The training or test must cover specific safety topics outlined in the directive.

The UK Government extended these rules in June 2025, permitting all zero emission vehicles up to that weight to be driven on a standard licence.

Petition to change UK driving rules

A petition, signed by more than 11,000 people, said: “Current laws allow Category B car license holders to drive motorhomes up to 3,500kg.

“We feel current laws restrict the size and weight of motorhomes, and many motorhomes just over 3500kg are automatic, which may be helpful for people with disabilities.”

Department for Transport responds to driving petition

Responding to the petition, a Department for Transport spokesman said: “The DfT keeps driving licence rules under review.

“We have not yet assessed the potential benefits of allowing Category B licence holders to drive motorhomes weighing up to 4,250kg.

“Any future changes to driving licence law would be subject to public consultation and a full assessment of their impacts.”