Campaigners, lawyers and academics are set to discuss whether a public inquiry should examine the town’s industrial contamination and it’s long-term impact on residents.
A public meeting is to be held in Corby to consider renewed calls for a formal inquiry into historic toxic contamination linked to the redevelopment of former steelworks sites.
The event, Hidden Waste, Lasting Harm, is due to take place on 7th May 2026 and is being organised by the London School of Economics and Political Science. It will feature contributions from legal experts, academics and local campaigners.
Among those speaking is Emma Jones, a partner at Leigh Day, who has worked on major public inquiries including the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Lampard Inquiry.
She is expected to outline possible legal routes for campaigners seeking an inquiry.
Also taking part are Roxana Willis, Diana Kirsch and Marie Petersmann. They will be joined by campaigners Paul Cawthorne, who works with communities affected by chemical waste, and Nichola Scott, a local mother who has spent years campaigning for accountability.
The contamination issue dates back to the 1980s and 1990s, when the demolition and redevelopment of former steelworks sites in Corby released toxic dust into the environment.
This exposure was later connected to an unusually high number of birth defects among local children, a subject previously reported in depth by our sister title Air Quality News.
In 2009, the High Court of Justice ruled that Corby Borough Council failed in its duty to properly manage and control the industrial clean-up.
Public awareness of the case grew significantly in early 2025 following the release of the Toxic Town, a drama series telling the stories of families affected by the pollution.
Leigh Day partner Emma Jones said: ‘The toxic pollution of Corby was a terrible set of circumstances, which the High Court deemed to amount to negligence by the council.
‘When incidents such as these where gross failings have affected a large number of people, a public inquiry can help push for more answers and tangible action. This meeting presents an opportunity to hear from the heart of the community in Corby, and from those who suffered most severely, and investigate what steps can be taken in calling for a public inquiry on the matter.’
‘I know some worry an inquiry will attack Corby’s proud steel working heritage,’ she continued. ‘It will not. An inquiry is time‑limited and fact‑focused; it seeks to protect the town’s future by learning from the past.
‘It is not about blaming ordinary workers but about ensuring that homes, workplaces, and the local economy are safe for the next generation.’
Photo: Ben Blackall / Netflix
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