An oil leak at a Bucks school has contaminated a lake and soil, a planning application to resolve the issues has revealed.

A kerosene leak of ‘suspected to be in excess of 3,000 litres’ was identified last year at Ashfold School in the village of Dorton.

An oil sheen was detected on the school’s ‘decorative lake’, which is used by pupils and staff for fishing.

There were also oil odours within Stable Cottage, after which the Compass Environmental Consultancy was brought in to investigate in July 2023.

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A planning document filed by Ashfold, an independent prep school for boys and girls aged three to 13, reveals further details about the leak.

It reads: “On attendance, due to the severity of impact to the lake, Compass agreed with the school to commence immediate containment work to limit damage.”

School staff identified a leak from an above ground oil feed line and filter bowl transferring kerosene to a boiler.

A report by Compass said there was a high likelihood that there had been a severe impact to the surface water of the lake and an impact to the flora and fauna within the lake.

It said: “Risks to human health, controlled water, ecological receptors and buildings are considered to exist associated with the source zone beneath the boot room and Stable Cottage and subsequent migration of contamination into the lake.”

The school shut down the oil supply and a retrospective application for the excavation and removal of contaminated soil following the oil leak has been approved.

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