A developer has issued a writ claiming £900,000 from Atkins in a dispute over the disposal of contaminated waste at a former dock in Swansea.

Quest has accused the multidisciplinary consultant of providing negligent advice on the disposal of waste.

The writ claims Quest employed Atkins to investigate the site after it made a successful bid for a £200m mixed-use scheme. Atkins’ summary report on the site concluded that the area was “only marginally contaminated”.

According to the writ, further site investigation by Atkins found waste that contained high levels of contaminants, some of which were a hazard to human health and required off-site disposal. Quest then had to employ Alfred McAlpine to dispose of 600m3 of soil in landfill. This led to a delay of 20 weeks and losses of more than £900,000 for Quest.

Quest is seeking reimbursement of £500,000 for Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects to settle a claim for delay and disruption, along with further costs totalling more than £400,000.

Postscript

Atkins declined to comment.

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