SHOCKING new evidence has come to light about potential health risks from the former MOD site at Aston Down.

The SNJ has demanded access to a top-level report under the Freedom of Information Act which has revealed the site is currently contaminated with arsenic, hydrocarbons and radium.

Aston Down was used to dismantle surplus RAF equipment after World War II and test equipment from Australian nuclear testing was also stored at the site.

Back in August, the SNJ exclusively revealed that the site was contaminated with radioactive substances.

Now we have obtained a full report addressing contamination within 50cm of the surface which also raises fears that there may be more serious problems further down.

Minchinhampton resident Sally Morgan, who lives near the site fears that radioactive dust is being blown around in the wind and could be sweeping through the Five Valleys.

She also says the dust is being picked up on the wheels of vehicles moving in and out of the site and are being transported around the county.

The MOD sold the former airfield in 2002 to developers Leda Properties, which rents out former hangars for warehouse storage.

The 2002 sales agreement included a clause acknowledging that there may be contamination on the site and Ms Morgan who chairs the Aston Down Action Group believes this should have been taken into account before any work began.

She said: "They have done building work already on the site and have excavated a huge hole.

"You see these whole skips full of earth right near this contaminated land.

"It's not fenced off and you have got earth sitting about where it could easily get contaminated.

"If that's blown in the air and you inhale it, it becomes more of a problem.

"Radioactive dust is getting onto the wheels of cars and lorries. It could be being spread anywhere.

"Has anyone taken into consideration the MOD report? It's incredible."

Yesterday (Tuesday), Stroud district councillors voted to wait until February for an environmental report before deciding whether to take action against the developers.

Richard Morris, spokesman for Kemp and Kemp, the estate agents for Leda Properties, said: "The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive have all been contacted in connection with the work we have undertaken.

"We have also contracted a company to undertake a survey. So we have done everything that was required."

Lyn Fraley, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said the agency had been contacted by Stroud District Council on Wednesday, November 2 and was in the process of preparing a response.

What's in the soil at Aston Down?

*Radium - Inhaled or ingested radium increases the risk of developing diseases such as lymphoma, bone cancer, leukaemia and aplastic anaemia. These effects usually take years to develop. External exposure to gamma radiation increases the risk of cancer in all tissues and organs.

*Arsenic - Can cause more than 30 health problems, from cancer to vomiting to diarrhoea. It has also been linked to liver damage and diabetes and can affect blood pressure.

*Hydrocarbons - the Environment Agency is in the process of investigating the health risks associated with hydrocarbons.