Contaminated Land

Contaminated Land

See also the PDF file Developers Guide to Contaminated Land (205KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help);and the Local Contaminated Land Strategy in the link to the right

The long industrial history of the UK has caused areas of land to become contaminated in various ways over many years. The ground around old factory and chemical sites, may contain substances which can, in some cases, present a risk to people, animals, vegetation, rivers and streams, buildings and the groundwater system from which we obtain our drinking water. Old petrol stations, gasworks, tanneries and even dry cleaners have potential to contaminate.

In addition some naturally occurring substances may represent a risk, for example, due to the geology of some areas of Devon, arsenic can be found in high levels even on previously undeveloped sites.

But as well as direct health or environmental problems, land contamination can cause economic and financial damage. Uncertainties about remediation requirements and liability for them can cause blight, deter development of brownfield land in favour of greenfield sites, and affect urban regeneration.

However, when identified, effective management of contaminated land issues will prove beneficial to both interested parties and the environment as a whole.

You can contact us at complaints/enquries to ask about contaminted land issues.

Your House and Contaminated Land

The release of information on potentially or actually contaminated land is a difficult issue as it can cause property blight if handled in an uncontrolled manner. We are committed to openness in relation to all information, provided the information is being provided to an appropriate person for a proper purpose.

There are three main methods of obtaining information about contaminated land:

1. We hold a public register to record information on sites where notices have been issued or a formal Remediation Statement has been prepared in line with Section 78(R) of the Act.

2. We make site specific environmental information available in accordance with the Environmental Information Regulations 1992. The information provided is only that available to the department at that time and we would recommend anyone needing the information to make more extensive enquiries.
Requests must be;

  • made in writing
  • accompanied by a local map clearly marking the boundary of the land
  • reasonable and specific in the questions asked e.g. "is the council aware of any land within 250 metres of the site which has been used for waste disposal to landfill?"
  • accompanied by appropriate payment to cover administration costs.

3. Through an enquiry to the Local Land Charges section, as part of a land search, normally carried out as part of a property/land transaction.

In all cases, especially where any doubt exists regarding contamination, it is worth seeking advice from your solicitor and/or an appropriately qualified and competent contaminated land expert.

Page last updated on 25 November 2011