The legal team representing residents and businesses affected by the Buncefield disaster was this week granted permission to send an independent forensic expert onto the sealed-off fuel depot site.

Collins Solicitors, based in Watford, was given the go ahead for the independent investigator by the main site owner; Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The move follows a High Court hearing concerning the Buncefield disaster, on March 17, at which a senior judge called for cooperation between oil companies and so9licitors representing those affected by the fuel depot blasts.

Solicitor at Collins, Bill McGrath said “It’s a very positive outcome and arrangements are now in place for a forensic expert to undertake a site inspection on behalf of the claimants.

“Since the explosion, the site has remained sealed under the exclusive control of HSE, which has been reluctant to allow third party inspections.

“At least now, with the pressure group litigation order, the doors are starting to prose open.”

Mr McGrath said no date had yet been set for the independent forensic expert’s first visit to the depot sire, but he hoped it would be within weeks.

The firm’s senior partner Des Collins said it was hoped the forensic expert could collect independent evidence for use in a report on behalf of the claimants.

In a statement a spokesmen for HOSL said “The HSE are in control of the Buncefield site, and on 16th December the HSE issued formal prohibition notices on both HOSL and the British Pipleine Agency Limited, requiring that the site be left undisturbed.

“That remains the situation today and all access to the site is strictly controlled by the HSE”

He Added: “HOSL is committed to constructive, efficient and coordinated discussions with Solicitors representing the local residents and insurers and will continue to work closely with them.

“All correspondence with Collins Solicitors is being conducted by HOSL’s appointed is being legal representatives, and it is not appropriate for us to comment on the details at this stage.”