Ditton Manor Park

Ditton Manor Park in Slough is a 69-hectare country park dating back to the 14th century. The site features a Grade II listed building and an 18th century moat and was most recently owned by the Ministry of Defence. Ditton Park was formerly used for the manufacture and testing of compasses and military aircraft dials. The site was restored to natural parkland by VHE in partnership with AEA Technology for its new owners, Computer Associates.

The contract required the removal of radioactive waste and chemical contamination, the decontamination and demolition of several buildings (some of which were attached to listed buildings), and the removal of contaminated silts by dredging of the surrounding moat.

Firstly, the site was thoroughly investigated using the latest satellite site-surveying technology before the contaminated material was removed and assayed into appropriate waste streams for shipment. The site was contaminated by Radium226, mercury, beryllium and asbestos. Contaminated material was excavated and sentenced under controlled conditions.

Due to the historical significance of Ditton Manor Park, the demolition and decontamination of the buildings and the dredging of the moat was carried out under guidance from English Heritage.