Reclamation works blamed for children's birth defects


				Corby reclamation works blamed for children's birth defects The High Court has ruled that children born with birth defects including webbed hands and missing fingers was a result of toxic waste being improperly managed by Corby Borough Council during the reclamation of the Corby British Steel plant. The Corby British Steel plant was in operation between 1985 and 1999 and was supervised by Corby Borough Council. During this time it underwent large scale demolition, excavation and redevelopment works. In 1999 the Sunday Times published an article making the first public link between the steel works and the high number of children being born with similar disabilities in the area. Following the article, 24 families emerged who had children with similar deformities. Mothers of the children had all either lived in the town or had visited it regularly between 1985 and 1999. The mothers claimed that the steel plant was so badly managed that materials were excavated and transported in uncovered vehicles which released poisonous dust into the air. Residents spoke of sludge tipping from lorries and “sandstorms” of toxic dust. After 6 years of gathering evidence, 16 families brought a joint case against the Borough Council. The hearing began in February 2009 and lasted three months. The Council denied that the mothers had been exposed to any such materials. However, in his judgement Mr Justice Akenhead described the Council's approach as one of "dig and dump", and concluded that there was an extended period between 1983 and August 1997 when it was "extensively negligent" in its control and management of the site. This decision clears the way for 16 claimants, who are aged between 11 and 22 to set out to prove their individual disabilities were caused by Corby Borough Council. If they are successful compensation could run into millions of pounds. The Council has decided to appeal the decision, the trial judge will decide by 11th September if he will grant permission for the appeal. The Council’s Chief Executive Chris Mallender said. "Our position has always been that there was no link between the reclamation work that was carried out in Corby in past decades and these children's birth defects. That is still our position."