Conclusion 11

The Home Office commissioned some surveys but not a complete ‘Red Book’ survey and sought some additional professional advice on the state of the Northeye site before deciding to purchase it. Preliminary surveys of the site warned of potentially high remediation costs. For example, the planning appraisal, completed in February 2023, highlighted a high risk of contamination across the site. A geo–environmental review, also undertaken in February 2023, concluded that the primary contamination risk was from asbestos-containing materials in existing buildings and contaminated ground. It recommended supplementary investigation to further understand the risks before establishing the cost of remediation. A technical due diligence report, also undertaken in February 2023, indicated that repairs to buildings on the site could cost in excess of £20 million; however, the National Audit Office found that not all the recommendations in these surveys were actioned by the Home Office.27