Houses built on the site of a former factory in Co Antrim were at the centre of a chemical contamination scare tonight.
Tests are to be carried out on land which used to be part of the old plant in Carrickfergus. The 200 houses, built in the early 1990's, are not on the land to be tested, but are close to it. Northern Environment Minister Angela Smith confirmed that precautionary site investigations are to carried out on the land.
The minister said her department received information in December from Dutch pharmaceutical and chemical company Akzo Nobel - which acquired Courtaulds in 1998 - of a possibility of contamination arising from the manufacturing process in the production of man-made fibres some years ago.
It is understood Akzo Nobel, while going through old Courtaulds documents, discovered chemicals may have been dumped on part of the site.
The neighbouring land on which the houses were built was tested prior to construction and found to be clear.
However Ms Smith said: "While there is no evidence of any contamination, I felt that as a precautionary measure tests should be carried out."
She said Akzo Nobel, who had expertise in the field, had agreed to carry out the tests.
The minister said she felt in the circumstances it was very important residents living in the area were appraised of the situation individually and that any questions they might have are dealt with.
"I have therefore asked that each householder within the site receives an individual letter to this effect. I have also asked that a dedicated team be organised to address any questions or concerns which residents might have," she said.
Houses built on former NI factory site in chemical scare