Workers were spotted wearing hazard suits while carrying out tests on what is believed to be a former burial site for anthrax ridden pigs.

The section of land off the north stretch of Boars Tye Road, in Silver End, used to be a pig farm and has
now been earmarked for 50 new homes by developer Cemex.

Several villagers can remember pigs being burnt on the site after an alleged outbreak of anthrax almost
70 years ago.

Anthrax spores are thought to be able to survive in soil for decades after an outbreak.

A team of Cemex workers started digging up some of the land last Wednesday to test the soil.

The following day, they were spotted wearing protective clothing on their return.

A Cemex spokesman said: "Company representatives attended a Silver End Parish Council meeting on April 15, where one of the councillors advised he was aware that the site may have been used for the burial of pig carcasses that were alleged to have been infected with anthrax.

"Our understanding is that if this were the case, it occurred almost 70 years ago.

"Nevertheless, the company is, of course, taking a cautious approach and has commissioned additional,
specialist site investigation to establish the status of the site and this has now been completed and the results awaited."


Following the investigation, the ground was restored and topsoil replaced.

A spokesman for Braintree Council, which sent an environmental health officer to the site, confirmed
the test will "consider the anecdotal evidence of contamination on the land."


The results of the test have not yet been released.

An exhibition of the proposals for the site is being held from 2pm to 7pm tomorrow and Saturday
at the village hall in Silver End.