Residents have been fighting for more surveys and clarity into reports after the old Tollerton Airport site, known to contain radioactive radium-226 and benzo(a)pyrene (and where a cluster of four adults living there temporarily developed leukaemia), is now earmarked for residential housing.
In 2008, cancer-causing radioactive radium was found near Tollerton Airfield, Nottingham, on a site where more than 1,000 Second World War planes were destroyed. The radium turned out to be from the dials and gauges in the cockpits of the planes that had been discarded there. Radium-226, which glows in the dark, was used on the equipment to make sure pilots could keep track of their cabin pressure and speed even while it was dark. But after its uses throughout the first half of the 20th century, it was discovered to be cancerous and pose other serious health risks.
In June 2025 the airfield was shut down, having been purchased by housing developer Vistry in 2022. Vistry has submitted plans for 400 homes – with wider plans for 1,600 homes and a new school – on the site, after it was allocated for housing under Rushcliffe Borough Council’s local plan.
Save Nottingham City Airfield campaign group says it has concerns over the area being disturbed.
Concerns but a government report did not call for action
Concerns were originally raised 17 to 18 years ago, when Rushcliffe Borough Council conducted an investigation into the incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia at the nearby Tollerton mobile home park.
The investigation began after an anonymous report sent to the council from a member of the public suggested four working-age men had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. The men all reportedly lived at the Tollerton caravan site next to the airfield.
The subsequent report, first published in 2008 and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, concluded:
The possibility of residual radium contamination at the Tollerton site exists, however the available scientific evidence does not fully support a causal link between environmental radium and the increased numbers of leukaemia cases reported.
According to the report, the Environmental Advisor of the Defence Estates, for the Ministry of Defence, reviewed the report and considered that “no appreciable dose had been detected at the surface and therefore the risks of exposure are considered to be low”.
However, it notes that should the use of the land change – in particular should excavations be undertaken – then further investigation works would be warranted.
The report also sreported on Soil and water samples taken at the same time.
The soil samples showed levels of benzo(a)pyrene, a known carcinogen, were “well above” general assessment criteria, the report noted.
Campaigners fear mistakes may have been made in the reporting
Campaigner Brennig Jones, a former member of the RAF, said:
I feel like we are in a fight but we have our arms tied behind our backs.
The report that people are now finally talking about is because of a cluster of leukaemia cases on the Tollerton [mobile home] park estate.
We’ve looked at the report, we’ve got two scientists who have gone through the report, but we think there are errors.
Independent professionals should come in and review the whole situation. It needs peer reviewing, a proper invasive review. I’m concerned as hell the health of everyone in this village is at risk.
Planning application to build homes and a school on the site
In 2025 new owners Vistry submitted plans for 400 homes – with wider plans for 1,600 homes and a new school – on the site, after it was allocated for housing under Rushcliffe Borough Council’s local plan
A council spokesperson told the LDRS:
Both current applications for the site include initial land contamination assessments.
If permission is granted, planning conditions will be imposed requiring further investigation and assessment of potential land contamination matters, including potential radioactive contamination so as to ensure the land is suitable for the proposed use.
This further investigation and assessment must be carried out in accordance with the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) Framework and underpinning good practice guidance.
The council said it is aware recent media coverage has raised concerns among residents, and officers have sent correspondence to more than 40 residents based at the mobile home park site, outlining the 2008 report.
The spokesman said the authority recently undertook a review and is satisfied that the previous findings remain valid.
A spokesperson for Vistry added:
Vistry is taking the historical use of Tollerton Airfield very seriously and is carrying out extensive investigations on the site to assess its suitability for development.
Once our investigations are complete, we will share our findings and any necessary remediation strategy with Rushcliffe Borough Council as the planning authority, and with any other relevant stakeholders.
We will continue to work closely with the council to progress plans for this development to create much-needed new homes and community facilities, as well as extensive employment opportunities for the residents of Rushcliffe.
UKHSA asked for an assessment of the present contamination situation
On November 7, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) government body sent Rushcliffe Borough Council a letter, after being asked to look into the information about the site being potentially contaminated.
The letter said that their belief, based on current information, was that the results of the 2008 survey – that levels of contamination detected were not considered sufficient to pose a signifcant radiation hazard to residents – still applied.
But it added that, in the 17 years since, ground works in the area and the addition of mobile homes may have moved the original material or exposed additional contamination, and said that they believed there was “suitable justification” for another radiation survey to be undertaken to ensure that the risk to health remains low.
The situation in January 2026 and no survey has been done yet
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, January 13, Labour opposition leader Jen Walker asked:
What assurances can the portfolio holder for planning and housing provide that the local planning authority, Rushcliffe Council, will seek to ensure the site is investigated for contamination and any necessary remediation is carried out?
Cabinet member for planning and housing Roger Upton replied:
The matter will be considered during the planning application process, in consultation with technical consultees (such as Environmental Health).
(Planning) officers will consider the wording of, and the need for, any planning conditions relating to mitigating any potential contamination at (that point). Planning conditions relating to potential contamination require any assessment and management of potential contamination to be undertaken in accordance with Environment Agency guidance.
And technical consultees will ensure that the information submitted to discharge the planning conditions on contamination is sufficiently robust to identify and address potential risks to human health and to the environment.
Following up her original question, Councillor Walker asked Councillor Upton whether another survey had been scheduled yet and, if not, why.
Councillor Upton said:
I am not aware that that survey work has taken place yet. But I will come back to you.
After articles by Local Democracy reporters Joe Locker and Joseph Connolly.
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