Bidders could not be tempted to purchase a potentially contaminated former landfill site in Kenilworth which remains unsold after an online auction last week.

With a guide price of £100,000, the parcel along Farmer Ward Road was just one of 15 lots not sold at Bond Wolfe's online sale last Thursday (February 9).

The 0.51 acre site, which was used as a landfill during the 1950's and 1960's, becoming disused in the 1980's, was listed alongside 150 other properties across the West Midlands.

Plans to develop the piece of land into houses were put forward last year before being withdrawn after multiple objections were raised by local authorities and residents.

A site inspection report said there was "a risk of cyanide contamination across the site" and recommended that the topsoil be removed and replaced with 60cm of fresh earth.

It also recommended: "If any zones of odorous, brightly coloured or suspected contaminated ground or groundwater are encountered then work should cease in that area until the material has been investigated."

Workers were also advised to wear PPE on site.

A rough outline of the plot being sold (image via planning application)

advertisement

The auction brochure recommended any prospective bidder should look at the site's planning history before buying to "independently satisfy themselves as to the suitability of the site for any proposed future use".

It added: "The site comprises an irregular shaped parcel of land, extending to approximately 0.51 acres (0.21 hectares), lying to the north west of Mayo Drive and having a generous frontage to Farmer Ward Road, within a mixed residential and commercial area, a short walk from the centre of the popular Warwickshire town of Kenilworth."

See the auction listing here.