Poison under sites for housing

Early tests have found pesticide levels higher than recommended guidelines at areas earmarked for subdivisions at Havelock North and on the outskirts of Hastings.

The composite test levels have prompted further analysis of the sites.

Arsenic, lead, ddt and copper used on former horticultural land in the district could pose a risk to future residents, if found at excessive levels, a report says.

Hastings District Council is moving to introduce controls to ensure vigorous testing of future residential developments – subdivisions or rezoned sites – on previously rural land, before titles are handed out.

The council, which with Hawke's Bay Regional Council has been testing soil for two years, will discuss installing controls at a meeting today.

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