AN INVESTIGATION is under way after asbestos had been discovered during the demolition of buildings near a Bournemouth primary school.

Environmental officers were alerted to the concerns regarding Hengist Park, which is adjacent to St Katharine’s Primary School, as site owners Royale Parks flatten many of the buildings on the site.

Work was halted on Friday following the discovery of the fibres.

The Daily Echo understands parents of children who attend the school were asked to collect their children promptly at the end of the day earlier this week after fears regarding dust.

It is believed children at the school have been told to avoid the area of playground nearest the site and the appropriate authorities were contacted after growing concerns.

Louise Jones, Bournemouth Borough Council environmental health manager, said: “We are currently looking into a complaint about asbestos at Hengist Park.

“Following inspections by our environmental health officers, we are satisfied that there is no danger to the public.

“We will continue to regularly inspect the area as well as work with the site management to minimise the dust pollution that is occurring throughout the works.”

East Southbourne and Tuckton ward councillor Robert Lawton said he was concerned about complaints regarding the site.

“I’m assured by our environmental enforcement officers that the risk is minimal and now contained,” he said.

“The enforcement officers are continuing to monitor the situation and will be visiting the site. If they find any breach of legislation regarding asbestos then prosecution is a consideration.”

Exposure to asbestos can cause a range of serious or fatal illnesses, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Lisa Ackerell, Royale Parks manager, said that after reports last week they halted demolition work to see whether asbestos was present.

“The issue was reported to us on Friday and we immediately stopped all work on the site,” she said.

“We found that there was a low grade of asbestos and have now had that safely disposed.”

Last year, dozens of residents, some of whom had lived at Hengist Park for several decades, were evicted.

Demolition work has been carried out to destroy unoccupied homes, despite people living on the site in neighbouring properties.

Resident Nigel Winwood, who has remained on the site, said that the demolition work had created “an environmental hazard”.

“They’ve been smashing up mobile homes and left the rubble lying around right next to where people are living,” he said.

“We spotted asbestos remains among them which is obviously not great when you’re living so close by.

“My car has got dust all over it and we are all breathing it in,” Mr Winwood added.

Proposals are being considered to redevelop the land at Hengist Park although Royale Parks have not yet made any plans public.

The headteacher of St Katharine’s Primary School was unavailable for comment yesterday.