"A study on the contamination is being undertaken, and when this report is ready, the council will be willing to entertain another planning application to retain the buildings for a temporary permission."
However, Cllr Craig says the trustees have had the report since March, and failing to act on its recommendations is "irresponsible and does not bode well for the trustworthiness, or transparency of claims made by the trustees".
He is calling on Newham Council to carry out an urgent Environmental Risk Assessment on the site as "members of the public may well be subjecting themselves to potential risk".
According to Cllr Craig, the March 2007 Waterman Report revealed that the original pre-remediation works had discovered "significant" soil and groundwater impact, principally by mercury, lead, arsenic and oil and fuels. Asbestos fibres were detected, there is "elevated soil contamination", and methane and carbon dioxide land gas readings.The behaviour of the trustees has been grossly irresponsible and raises serious questions about how much their corporate statements can be trusted.
Newham Cllr Alan Craig
Cllr Craig warned that "the potential for contaminated groundwater to break out form the site will increase with time".
He added: "We know that children have been restricted from using the grassed areas on the site due to the trustees lack of confidence in the capping and some fences have been erected, but that's not good enough.
"The trustees have known about the severe contamination of this site since 1996 and have done nothing."
Cllr Craig urged the Council to bring in the Environment Agency and close down the site until an independent report could be undertaken.
He also insisted on full decontamination and further independent tests before people are allowed back on site and any new planning application is submitted.
He concluded: "The behaviour of the trustees has been grossly irresponsible and raises serious questions about how much their corporate statements can be trusted."
