Legal action has begun over claims an estate in North Lanarkshire was built on toxic land.

The 78 residents in who live on or near the Watling Street estate in Motherwell have had 42 claims launched on their behalf by Collins Solicitors

They claim the site was never properly decontaminated and has caused a number of health complaints. The legal action officially names City Link Development, engineers Scott Wilson and North Lanarkshire Council.

The Watling Street estate was the former site of factories and industrial plants and since the housing was built in the 1990s, many residents have claimed their illnesses are a result of contaminated land.

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In October 2010, the council found traces of the potentially dangerous chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) in close to the estate.

Collins Solicitors then said it commissioned tests which deducted that the presence of potentially harmful chemicals "far exceed stipulated safe levels".

The local authority maintains there is "no evidence to date to suggest significant health risks."

Collins launched legal action in July this year.

Des Collins, from Collins Solicitors, said: "These properties are unfit for human habitation and, given the intransigence of those named today as defenders, the time has come for us to find an immediate solution to the ongoing health problems.

"Each of those named in the joint summonses is responsible for having failed to ensure the redevelopment of the Watling Street site in the 1990s resulted in land suitable and safe for residential use.

"We anticipate that this initial test case will demonstrate the extent of the problem and the need for extensive remediation (decontamination)."

The council insists that no public health issues have been identified.

(IT)