Toxic Legacy Beneath Golf Course Revealed

Malkins Bank golf course in Cheshire sits atop thousands of barrels of toxic chemical waste dumped between the 1960s and 1970s. This industrial site, formerly a salt works and alkali works, became a landfill for chemical and industrial waste, including substances from ICI and Shell. Despite reports of toxic substances seeping to the surface and into local waterways, the council designated the contaminated land as suitable for a golf course in 1980.

Former leaseholders and residents have raised alarms for years about hazardous waste, including chemicals like PCBs and sodium cyanide, and potential methane chambers. Foul-smelling substances and leachate have repeatedly surfaced, particularly after flooding. In 2011, the land was officially classified as contaminated due to risks to controlled waters.

Despite ongoing concerns and documented pollution, Cheshire East council maintains the site is suitable for its current use with low risk to human health. The council is currently addressing drainage issues and improving site conditions. Historically, the site has been flagged for its dangerous legacy, with reports highlighting inadequate capping and drainage, leading to the contamination spreading through groundwater and potentially into old salt caverns.