RESIDENTS in Lydney are concerned about exposure to dust which has settled on cars and entered people’s homes amid the demolition of the old JD Norman metal foundry.

Demolition of a tower at the former factory site next to the A48 bypass commenced on Sunday November 7 to make way for the building of the "world’s largest vertical farm", which is being developed by the Jones Food Company.

On the same day, locals reported that black dust had started to settle on cars, garden furniture, children’s play equipment and even on the inside of people’s windows.

Some residents had believed the dust to contain the potentially harmful material carbon black, but Forest of Dean District Council has since said the dust is most likely to have been a mixture of sand and coal.

A spokesperson for the council said they had "no concerns for public health" from this mixture.

One local resident, Jason Ryder, contacted both the Environment Agency and Forest of Dean District Council about the issue as the dust continued to settle.

His wife also met with the site manager for the development the day after the demolition started on Monday November 8, but said he was "dismissive" of residents’ concerns.

"This has affected over 500 households and that doesn’t include Lakeside which is also likely affected", Jason said.

"This carelessness by the developers for the site shouldn’t go unanswered, and procedures to remove the harmful dust should have taken place before the building was dismantled."

Jason added that he was aware that the demolition was paused on Saturday (November 13) as the dust continued to settle in the surrounding areas.

Local residents posted on a community Facebook page with concerns about breathing in the dust, and questioned why they were not warned prior to the demolition. Others reported having to clean their floors after pets had walked the dust into their homes, and having to wipe down the insides of their windows having left them ajar.

A spokesperson for Forest of Dean District Council said: "We are aware that there has been mention on social media of ’carbon black’ in dust leaving the building at the former JD Norman site in Lydney. 

"Any dust from the demolition works that took place is most likely to have been a mixture of sand and coal dust, and we have no concerns for public health from this mixture.

"When Planning Enforcement and Environmental Health officers were made aware of the issue of dust migrating off site, they visited and spoke to the site manager.

"The contractors ceased demolition works when they realised dust was an issue and ordered additional dust suppression equipment. Closer monitoring of the demolition works has also been agreed with the contractors on site who will cease demolition works if the dust is not contained.

"The issue should now be resolved, but if dust continues to migrate off-site residents should contact the District Council, and please do take photos showing the dust as this will be helpful.

"The District Council has also been informed that the demolition work will be completed by Friday November 19."

The Jones Food Company is developing the site to build a multi-million pound vertical farm, which will use artificial lights to grow food on multiple layers.

The farm is due to become operational next year.

A spokesperson for Jones Food Company said: "The recent demolition in Tutnells Street, Lydney was carried out by contractors in line with an approved Noise, Dust and Vibration plan and in conjunction with local Environmental Health officers, who attended the site last week. The Jones Food Company and The Environment Agency continue to ensure that this project is fully compliant with all health and safety regulations. We can confirm that tower demolition will be complete this week, with a deep clean of the JFC2 site scheduled for December 10".