Former Steelworks - Corby
Some residents have raised concerns about whether historic industrial activity, including the former steelworks and waste disposal at Deene Quarry, could be linked to cancer rates among local children.
Some concerns have also been raised about the potential disposal of waste from Deene Quarry to other sites, and the potential for contaminated land.
Analyses of Childhood Cancers in Corby
The council has published the results of analyses into childhood cancer rates in Corby.
The analyses concluded that:
- childhood cancer rates in Corby are not higher than in Northamptonshire, the East Midlands or England
- no Corby neighbourhoods (broken down into what are called lower super output areas) had significantly higher rates than the North Northamptonshire average
Contaminated land
North Northamptonshire, like many parts of the UK, has a rich industrial heritage from ironstone quarrying to heavy industry which, while essential to regional development, has left a legacy of potential contamination at many sites.
This is not unique to North Northamptonshire. Across England, former industrial areas are being reassessed to ensure they meet modern environmental standards.
Our Environmental Protection team works to ensure these risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed in line with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and planning legislation
Request for a public inquiry
We have been asked if a public inquiry can be held on the above matters.
Public inquiries are official investigations, initiated by UK government or a devolved government minister, to examine matters of 'public concern' about a particular event or set of events.
The council is not the direct route for the public to request or lobby for public inquiry - individuals or groups are able to lobby government for an inquiry.
Certain criteria need to be met for the government to consider a public inquiry. On balance, given the information available to us, we do not believe that that the criteria has been met.
This does not prevent individuals lobbying ministers of government to call for an inquiry
Last updated 04 March 2026