A toxic legacy buried beneath the fairways of Malkins Bank golf course in Sandbach, Cheshire, has come to light with documents revealing thousands of barrels of hazardous waste dumped on the site over several decades. The revelation raises serious concerns about the long-term impact on public health and the environment.
Uncovered records show that between 1,000 and 2,000 tonnes of chemical waste, including 'loose waste' and 'waste in drums', were dumped at the site from companies such as ICI and Shell during the late 1960s. The logs also detail the dumping of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by Purle Group – chemicals banned in the UK since the 1980s due to their carcinogenic properties.
Tony Minshall, who leased the golf course between 2011 and 2025, spoke out about his concerns after a machine fell into a methane chamber in 2017. He described a 'horrendous' smell and inadequate capping of the chambers. Minshall claimed he was unaware that the site had been classed as contaminated six years prior to his lease, with a full remediation estimated to cost £1.3 billion.
A further incident occurred in November 2022 during heavy rainfall, when foul-smelling substances rose to the surface, killing grass and trees and spilling into a nearby river. A report attributed this to inadequate landfill capping and drainage, allowing leachate to force its way to the surface.
Despite these revelations, the site remains deemed suitable for use as both a golf course and children's play area, sparking questions among local residents and environmental advocates about the potential risks to human health and the environment.
The discovery highlights the UK's hidden legacy of industrial waste management, where contaminated land is often repurposed for public recreation. The long-term implications of such contamination remain a pressing concern for the community and environmental watchdogs.