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Land contamination is usually the result of previous land usage(s) or may, in certain cases, be due to contaminants being present due to natural geological conditions. Land can often be in such a state that it may pollute controlled waters, release potentially toxic or explosive gases, damage buildings and affect human health by the ingestion of contaminated food / soil.
The words 'Contaminated Land' now have a specific legal definition. Under Section 78A (2) of Part IIA Environmental Protection Act 1990 'Contaminated Land' is defined as "Land which appears to the Local Authority to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on, or under the land, that significant harm is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused." 'Harm' means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes harm to his property.
Whilst Gedling does have areas of land affected by contamination, no sites within Gedling have been formally determined yet as Contaminated Land in accordance with the new definition.
Therefore Gedling Borough Council's Contaminated Land Register has no entries
The Council has produced a 'Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy' detailing how it will deal with land in the district that may be contaminated. The strategy has been produced under a statutory duty arising from Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Please click on the pdf attachment to view the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy). In addition to the proactive requirements contained within Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the central governmental target of achieving 60% of new development on brown field sites has resulted in land contamination being remediated through the development control process.
Environmental Protection plays a major role in assuring the safe development of land affected by contamination, working closely with consultants and developers to ensure that the land is made 'suitable for use'. The Council has produced guidance for Environmental Consultants and Developers in the form of a leaflet on the assessment and remediation of land that may be affected by contamination. It is recommended that developers should have reference to this guidance note to ensure that the land is adequately investigated.
Should you have any queries, or require further information regarding contaminated land please contact the Contaminated Land Officer on 0115 9013833 or environmentalhealth@gedling.gov.uk.
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