TOXIC chemical contamination at the site of a former hospital where developers want to build nearly 200 new homes is more than 800 per cent above acceptable levels.

Test data used to compile a report which warns of 'multiple exceedances' of dangerous and cancer-causing pollutants shows one carcinogenic compound at over eight-times higher than the officially recognised safe limit.

Other toxins lurking within the sprawling grounds of Ravenscraig Hospital — which are also infested with Japanese Knotweed — are variously at 300, 500 and 700 per cent in excess of recommended maximums.

The Telegraph has sourced the results of soil tests carried out by an analytical services provider, Chemtest, which show levels of contaminants grossly above what is considered by government experts as risk-free.

Pollution levels of the heavy metal lead — which can have irreversible effects on the nervous system — are three times above what the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) considers as land 'suitable for use'.

A series of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene — are more than three, five, seven and eight times DEFRA limits at various areas of the site.

Excess levels of cadmium — another carcinogen which can cause kidney, bone and pulmonary damage — have also been identified.

Campaigners opposed to the proposed development by social housing provider, Link Group Ltd, are now demanding to know precisely what measures will be taken to make the 83-acre site safe.

Their spokesman, who has declined to be identified at this stage, said: "The excessive levels of contaminants is a matter of fact now.

"But when neither the architectural design nor remediation measures are known, this gives a stark and disturbing insight into the scale to which many parties are involved."

Chemtest compiled its report for a company called Causeway Geotech Ltd.

Consulting engineering firm, Fairhurst, provided contamination data as part of a 38-page 'interpretive' report commissioned by Link Group which forms part of a planning application to build 150 houses and 48 flats.

Fairhurst say in their report that 'multiple exceedances' of toxic contamination exist — including arsenic in ground water — and have urged 'vigilance' in case 'additional sources of gross contamination' are found.

The Telegraph subsequently discovered that the site has been polluted for nearly 150 years due to industrial-scale dumping from the likes of tanneries, iron foundries and chemical works during the 19th century.

Our revelation last November was described by Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan as 'very serious'.

The Telegraph now understands that concerns about the pollution levels are such that further chemical testing is to be carried out in a further phase of ground investigation after the former hospital is demolished.

Campaigners point out that 'contaminants have no half-life' and argue that the land is 'unfit for human habitation'.

Amid scores of objections to the proposed large-scale housing development, council officials have recommended approval of the application at a meeting next week — with 33 planning conditions to be attached to any final consent.

But MP Mr Cowan said: "If there is any potential danger to the health of future occupants of houses on this site then no houses should be built."

He added: "I would expect both the council and the developer to undertake due diligence to put people's minds at ease.

"We know the land is contaminated and this must be addressed before any development can even be considered."

Link bought the site for £1 in a so-called 'back-to-back' transaction involving the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and stand to receive £14m in public grant money if given the go-ahead to build.

Asked whether an assessment of the cost of ridding the land from contamination had been carried out and what any final bill totalled, Link declined to answer.

A spokesman said: "We can't provide information on the cost at the moment as we are going through a tender exercise and it would be commercially sensitive."

Link deferred to Fairhurst to comment on the suitability of the land for housing.

The consulting engineering firm say the contamination 'is not a widespread issue across the entire site' and that 'a remediation strategy will be developed'.