Contamination Issues
Land or property that is contaminated is more likely to occur in former industrial areas but cannot be ruled out in other locations, including the countryside, due to inappropriate spreading of materials such as sludge, or as a result of contamination being moved from its original source.
Furthermore, these ‘brownfield sites’ can also be affected by the natural or background occurrence of potentially hazardous substances, such as radon, methane or elevated concentrations of metallic elements. Other contaminants that may affect your development plans can include asbestos, petrol, diesel or you may wish to develop on land that was once used as a brewery or scrapyard - both have been known to contain contaminated substances.
Only a specific investigation can establish whether there is contamination at a particular site, but the possibility should always be considered particularly when the development proposed involves a sensitive use such as housing with gardens, schools or nurseries.
Our property advisers will be able to help you uncover whether land could be contaminated.
If the land is determined as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, we will ensure that we engage with the local planning and environmental health departments at an early stage in the development to clarify what assessment is needed to support the application and identify issues that need to be considered in the design of the development.
Dealing with land or buildings where there are contamination issues can be a complex and arduous process and experience tells us that it pays, in the longer term, to have specialist advice and guidance from the outset.
If you have any queries about contamination issues on a site you’re looking to develop or you have been refused planning permission due to contamination, and are unsure how to move forward, our property experts will be able to help. Simply call us on 01202 684400 or email us at info@landbuyingexperts.co.uk for more information.
