What is Contaminated Land?
Land could be contaminated as a result of industrial work. This
contamination may cause a risk to people’s health or the
environment (although serious harm is rare)
These sites will probably have been cleaned up when they were
redeveloped. However, this is not always the case, especially when
the sites were redeveloped some time ago.
Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which
came into force on 1st April 2000, local authorities must inspect
their area to check for contaminated land which may cause possible
risks to people’s health or the environment.
Rochford council produced a Contaminated land strategy in 2003
(which you can view in the related links below) this clearly states
how potential contaminated land in our district will be
indentified, and investigated.
The Environmental protection unit is responsible for carrying
out the duties under the contaminated land strategy as well as
advising on site investigation and remediation reports submitted
though the planning and building control process.
The council is also required to hold a register of all
regulatory action taken regarding contaminated land. No
Contaminated land has currently been identified by Rochford
District Council, so there is no register in place at the
moment.
How does this affect me?
Builders and Developers
If you are a builder or developer you may want to visit out
technical advice page for builders and developers from the left
hand menu, which provides information about legislation, new
developments, building and planning process involving contaminated
land.
Moving House buying or selling a property
Before you buy a property you should have an Environmental
search in order to find out if a property is likely to be affected
by contaminated.
Solicitors and conveyancers normally carry out theses searche on
your behalf, for example an Envirosearch or Homecheck report.
If potential contaminated land is identified in the search,
further enquires are normally made to us. These are called
Environmental Information Requests. For more information about
Environmental Information Requests please visit our ‘Buying and
Selling a Property – Environmental Information Contaminated Land'
from the menu on the left hand side
Domestic Central Heating Oil and contamination
Over recent years there has been an increase in the number of
pollution incidents caused by poorly maintained domestic central
heating oil tanks. In some circumstances’ drinking water supplies
have been contaminated, and people have had to leave their homes
because oil in the ground has produced fumes that have made it
impossible to live in the properties. The cost of cleaning up after
a leak or spill can be extremely expensive and often run into
thousands of pounds.
The Essex Contaminated Land Consortium have produced a booklet
which provides advice on how to prevent oil spills, and what to do
if one does happen. You can view or download this in the related
documents section below. If you have any further questions about
Contaminated land you can contact us by telephoning our Customer
Services team on 01702 318111, or e-mailing customer.services@rochford.gov.uk