Council approves £190,000 increase to Deeping housing project following ground contamination issue

Members of South Kesteven’s cabinet have agreed to the spend increase to the project to build 11 new council houses in Wellington Way, Market Deeping, after unforeseen ground conditions linked to the site’s historic use as a former RAF base which pushed up the cost of the project.

The district council awarded a contract to the Lindum Group in September last year at an initial cost of £1.926 million.

But at a meeting on Tuesday, February 10, Coun Virginia Moran (Independent – Market Deeping and West Deeping), cabinet member for housing, said that the contract needed to be increased in light of the additional costs.

She said: “Following the contract award and during the pre-construction phase, detailed intrusive site investigations were undertaken to ensure the council had a full and robust understanding of ground conditions before works commenced on site.

“Those investigations identified previously unknown areas of made ground (artificially altered ground) and contamination linked to the historic use of the site, which could not reasonably have been identified or fully priced at the tender stage.

“As a result, additional works are required to ensure the development is safe, compliant and represents a sound long-term investment for the council.”

Coun Moran added that the additional funding will enable the scheme to continue “without delay”.

Council leader Ashley Baxter (Independent – Market Deeping and West Deeping) said that he supported the housing project.

He said: “It’s a very welcome scheme. We need more housing – no doubt about it – and it’s a project we’re going ahead with.”