Ground investigations are to be carried out on a development in Moray, amid concerns the former Ministry of Defence land may have a legacy of contamination.

Ferryhill housing development in Forres was built in the 1990s, on the site of former MoD land and a former sawmill.

Work will now be carried out to see whether or not the site’s previous occupants have left behind land which has been contaminated.

Moray Council’s environmental services department has written to residents informing them of the proposed ground investigations, which are due to begin early February this year.

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Soil samples will be taken from gardens within Ferryhill for analysis.

The concerns have been raised due to the site being the location of a former MOD oil storage facility.

It is thought timber treatment work may have taken place at the sawmill, and that the potential exists for historic contamination on the site.

Moray has a number of sites formerly used for industry that have been developed for a variety of purposes, including housing.

Environmental legislation means councils must inspect such sites for historic contamination and ensure that human health and the environment are safeguarded.

A Moray Council spokesman said the investigations at Ferryhill were routine but important.

"It is proposed to take soil samples from 28 gardens and permission will be sought in advance from property owners," he said.

"Taking samples will involve digging a small shallow hole and the ground will be reinstated immediately afterwards."

A drop-in session for residents will be held at Forres House Community Centre on Monday, January 21 from 14:00 to 19:00 when staff from the Council’s contaminated land section will be in attendance to answer questions.

(IT)