FEARS over a potential anthrax outbreak are to be investigated.
Proposals to build 450 homes in Belper have sparked concerns that the potentially deadly disease could return to the area.
Anthrax was found in cattle in the 1960s and carcasses were buried somewhere in the area of the Bullsmoor and Pottery Farm sites, off Kilburn.
Amber Valley Borough Council has now proposed to develop the area as part of the housing strategy until 2028, but may be forced to abandon the plans if there is a genuine threat.
The proposal will be discussed at a full council meeting tonight.
Dr John Morrissey said that anthrax spores can survive for centuries and anyone involved in construction of the houses could be in danger of contracting the disease.
He said: "It needs to be taken very seriously. It would be a danger to anyone working on the site."
Dr Morrissey was at a previous council meeting when one person voiced concerns about the animal carcasses buried on the site and the claim was later confirmed.
He represents Amber Valley South for NHS Derbyshire Healthcare and has urged caution be taken when assessing the issue.
He said: "There may not even be any spores left, it just needs to be treated very carefully."
Dr Morrissey and several others were denied access to a council meeting on September 2, but residents are invited to attend future meetings.
Derek Stafford, the council's assistant director for planning and regeneration, said: "We have set out a process where we can continue to allow people to come to the public meetings.
"We want to make sure people who want to come along to listen and speak have a chance to do so and arrangements have been put in place to do this."
But Mr Stafford was also keen to stress that no decisions on the strategy for housing will be made at tonight's meeting.
He said: "This meeting will be updating members on the process of the core strategy, giving them feedback and setting out the timetable.
"We will be holding another meeting on October 15 where we will take a detailed report on the sites we have looked at.
"And that is when we will look at the issues."
But Mr Stafford did state that any potential hazards would be taken into consideration.
He added: "We need to be looking at it very carefully.
"If it is potentially serious, alongside any other issues raised by other people, then we will need to investigate it."
A full council meeting will be held tonight at Ripley Town Hall at 7pm.
