A POPULAR open space on top of a former rubbish tip is to be closed for three months to allow the site to be investigated, it was announced today.The government-funded testing is to take place at Houchell's Meadow in Haugh Lane, Woodbridge, as part of the on-going and long-running monitoring of the former domestic waste disposal site.

A POPULAR open space on top of a former rubbish tip is to be closed for three months to allow the site to be investigated, it was announced today.

The government-funded testing is to take place at Houchell's Meadow in Haugh Lane, Woodbridge, as part of the on-going and long-running monitoring of the former domestic waste disposal site.

Letters have been delivered by Suffolk Coastal council, which is supervising the work, to all residents to warn them that the open space will be closed from March 1.

There could also be some daytime noise and disturbance.

"Until nearly 40 years ago Houchell's Meadow was Woodbridge's main tip for domestic waste and since its closure there has been a series of routine inspections to monitor the progress of the settling down and degrading of the waste," said Andrew Nunn, cabinet member for the environment.

"This latest inspection will be a very detailed one, with bore holes being made and samples collected for analysis. It will then give us an up to date and accurate picture of the state of this former domestic waste disposal site.

"This work is likely to take about three months and once it is finished we expect to reopen it straightaway as it is a fairly popular informal open space, with a path running through it. We have also imposed strict conditions to keep noise and disturbance to a minimum and only to weekdays."

Residents have been warned that there could be some movement of machines and workers along Haugh Lane, Haughgate Close and Mistley Way, but work will be restricted to between 8am and 6pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Suffolk Coastal has ensured there will be no work on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays, and its environmental health team will be keeping a close eye on the work so noise and disturbance is kept to an acceptable minimum.

Any resident who wants more information can contact George Onuoha on 01394 444267.

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