Asbestos found at a major building site on Portland has brought work to a halt until next year.

Developer Betterment Properties says there is "no immediate risk" to residents near the site at Broadcroft quarry, Bumpers Lane, where a development of around 70 homes is under construction.

Decontamination work must be carried out before work can resume – Betterment Properties expects this to be "early 2019."

Joe Saunders, director of Betterment Properties said: "Betterment are currently working alongside the local council, consultants and specialist asbestos contractors in preparation to start work on the Bumpers Lane site again next calendar year.

According to the developer, "fragments" of asbestos were found, which caused the work to stop.

Mr Saunders added: "As soon as any potential threat of asbestos became apparent the site was closed until further tests could be undertaken.

"Out of 71 tests, only seven found asbestos present, way below threatening levels. There is no risk to people walking their dogs and public footpaths remain open."

Cllr Ray Nowak, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s briefholder for environment and sustainability said: “We are aware of matters at Bumpers Lane.

"Officers attended the site along with the council's contaminated land consultant and have made sure relevant safety precautions are in place.

“The presence of asbestos was initially identified at the site before the works commenced. However, the amount found has been more than expected.

“The remediation that was due to be implemented onsite will now be upgraded to deal with the issue and will be agreed with the council.

“We are continuing to work with the developer and are not treating this matter as a ‘breach of condition’.”

Planning permission for the site was granted on the condition that land was decontaminated before work began.

Investigations by contamination experts in 2012 and 2017 show that besides asbestos, toxic chemicals 'exceeding safe limits for human exposure' were found at the site, including a 'hotspot' of lead as well as arsenic, and selenium, which can cause hair loss and kidney damage over long periods of exposure.

Reports indicate the chemicals could pose a threat if left in residential gardens.

Betterment Properties called the reports "outdated" and said the contamination is "low level". The developer says remediation works, which include covering garden areas with new soil, will remove any potential risks to future home owners and that construction workers on site have had "no direct contact to asbestos prior to the work ceasing".

Joe Saunders said: "Due to low level contamination on the land, planning consent granted back in 2012 required a remediation plan to prevent environmental damage.

"Conditions have all been submitted and as such this enables Betterment to proceed on site.

He added: "Bumpers Lane is a brownfield site and it is extremely common for developers to follow a remediation strategy."