The leader of the council is acting on residents’ concerns about possible land and water contamination at Upper Heyford with a call for urgent government support.
Published: Thursday, 25th June 2026
Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of Cherwell District Council, has written to Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Water and Flooding, asking for a meeting to address the issue of PFAS and testing.
Polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are man‑made chemicals with a wide range of industrial applications. They were historically used in fire‑fighting foams, likely to have been used at the former RAF Upper Heyford.
There is now growing awareness of the environmental and possible health impacts of PFAS, which the government has acknowledged with its first policy paper on the issue.
Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of the Council, said: “My priority is listening to the concerns of residents and doing everything I can to raise awareness of this emerging issue. I’m calling on all national and local agencies to pull together urgently to understand exactly what the health concerns are and agree what immediate actions are required to ensure this matter is properly understood.
“I hope Emma Hardy MP responds positively to my request for a meeting and can help bring about a comprehensive multi-agency response.”
PFAS is a national issue which the government has committed to addressing, but with tests indicating high concentrations in the Upper Heyford area, the council believes a timely response is needed from government, bringing together all the key government agencies which can assess and manage the risks.
Cllr McLean’s letter also calls on the government to consider designating Heyford Park and its surrounding area as a priority monitoring site for PFAS in both water and soil.
The council has published a web page for residents, bringing together useful information about PFAS and land contamination at Heyford Park. This is available at www.cherwell.gov.uk/PFAS