Mining Remediation Authority Unlocks Contaminated Chester City-Centre Site Using Ochre From Mine Water Treatment to Enable Construction of 126 New Apartments

In Chester, a long-neglected brownfield site is finally on the path to transformation thanks to an unusual ally: mine water.

A naturally occurring by-product known as ochre, produced during the treatment of mine water, is being repurposed to stabilise contaminated soil, opening the door for 126 new apartments in the heart of the city.

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Turning Mining Waste into a Solution

Ochre is rich in iron and forms when water from old mines is treated to remove harmful metals.

Traditionally, this material was considered waste, but the Mining Remediation Authority has pioneered a method to put it to practical use.

By mixing ochre into contaminated soils, it binds dangerous elements like lead and other heavy metals, preventing them from moving and making the site safer for development.

James White, project lead at the authority, explains: “Repurposing ochre isn’t just effective—it’s sustainable.

It reduces risk, avoids the need to remove contaminated soil, and cuts down on waste and transport emissions.”

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The History of Chester’s Lead Works Site

The site itself spans 5,200 square metres and has a long industrial history.

Once home to lead works, it later served as a car park before being left vacant due to legacy contamination.

Soils were laced with lead, and asbestos materials lingered, making traditional development complicated and expensive.

Ochre’s chemical stabilisation process changes the game, allowing contaminants to be safely locked in place.

This approach has precedent: it was successfully used on the Mersey Gateway project to manage arsenic-contaminated soils at scale, proving the method can handle complex, heavy-metal-laden sites.

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Environmental and Economic Benefits

The project highlights a wider shift in the construction and environmental sectors toward circular-economy principles.

By reusing a by-product from mine water treatment, developers reduce carbon emissions associated with transporting and disposing of contaminated soil.

Vehicle movements are cut, waste is minimised, and heavy metals stay safely contained.

For Chester, the benefits extend beyond sustainability.

The redevelopment of this derelict site will bring much-needed housing to the city centre and support the regeneration of a prime location that has been dormant for decades.

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Supporting Regeneration and Community Growth

The 126 new apartments will add vitality to the area, attracting residents and boosting local services.

By combining innovation with environmental responsibility, this project exemplifies how industrial by-products can be leveraged for the public good.

James White adds: “This project shows how thinking differently about materials can solve complicated contamination challenges and create opportunities for regeneration at the same time.”

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What’s Next?

Construction is expected to progress in stages, with the site now fully stabilised thanks to the ochre treatment.

The next steps will involve building foundations, followed by infrastructure and apartment construction.

The project also sets a benchmark for other cities facing similar contaminated sites, offering a blueprint for environmentally responsible urban redevelopment.

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Summary

• Chester’s former lead works site has remained unused due to contamination.

• Ochre, an iron-rich by-product of mine water treatment, is being applied to stabilise heavy metals in the soil.

• The chemical stabilisation method reduces risk, waste, and carbon emissions.

• 126 new city-centre apartments are planned, supporting regeneration and sustainable development.

• The project showcases circular-economy principles and could serve as a model for other brownfield redevelopments.