Environmental probe at Calderdale housing development after reports of animal burial site

Inspections have been carried out by Calderdale Council on land between Delf Hill and Dewsbury Road in Rastrick.

Work on the £34m 267 housing project started at the end of last year but reports were made to the council about the land which saw environmental officers called to the site.

Andrew Pitts, Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods, said: “We take all residents’ concerns very seriously, and immediately launched an investigation into an alleged former animal burial site in Rastrick.

“Our specialist Environmental Health officers have thoroughly inspected both housing development sites at Delf Hill / Dewsbury Road and New Hey Road in Rastrick.

“They have found no animal carcasses on either site, and no evidence of any animal burial sites.”

Energy, services and regeneration specialist ENGIE began work on a energy efficient housing development in Rastrick, after completing contracts with Yorkshire Housing.

ENGIE and Yorkshire Housing worked in partnership to identify the 26 acre site when it initially came to the market in 2018 via land agent Savills.

Planning approval was granted in January 2020 of this year and all parties have now finalised the technical and pre-planning agreements.

A spokesperson for ENGIE said: “We are aware of these rumours, however – despite conducting extensive ground investigations before and during our work on the site - we have found no evidence of animal burials.

“Work is progressing well on this development.”

The projected build will last four and a half years.

The new homes will include high efficiency boilers, enhanced levels of insulation, and time and temperature heating zone controls.