| When planning applications are made for developments on previously used land (brownfield sites) that may be affected by contamination, the Planning Control Division will consult Environmental Services for their comments.
The role of the planning process is to ensure that the land is made suitable for the new use.
If land is known to be contaminated or where available evidence indicates that contamination exists, the developer will be required to carry out an investigation and risk assessment. Planning permission will not be granted until detailed proposals for remediation of the site have been agreed.
In other cases where there is only a suspicion that a site may be contaminated, or where evidence suggests that only slight contamination is likely, a planning condition may be imposed. The condition will require the developer to carry out an investigation and risk assessment and submit proposals for remediation.
For sites which have a sensitive end use (e.g. residential or education),regardless of previous land use, it is expected that an environmental search and Land Contamination Questionnaire will be submitted along with the application in line with current government guidance.
Please see the Advice on Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Land page for further information. |