In common with many other countries, the UK has a legacy of land contamination arising from industrial development and related operational practices. Much land contamination has been present since the eighteenth century.
Contaminated land can cause harm to human health, water supplies, natural habitats and human property. Concern about contaminated land can affect property prices and obstruct development.
Not all contamination poses problems and some may only be of concern if the land is used for a particular purpose. It may only be necessary to deal with some contamination when a piece of land is used for a new purpose, for example, when an old industrial site is redeveloped for housing.
It is one of the Council's duties, under the Environmental Protection Act, Part IIA, to identify contaminated land in the district and to compile a register of contaminated sites. The 'Strategy for the Identification of Contaminated Land; which was published in 2001, sets out how potentially contaminated land will be inspected and investigated. A database of information on the current and historical uses and characteristics for potentially contaminated sites is under development. The Council has powers to enforce remediation of sites that are determined as contaminated land.
Stroud district has a long heritage of industrial activity which has the likelihood of land contamination associated with it. The contamination on those former industrial sites that have been redeveloped will already have been remediated as a result of conditions imposed during the planning process.
If you would like to speak with an Officer regarding land contamination in Stroud District, or wish to enquire about a particular property please contact:
Phone: 01453 754478
or Email: environmental.health@stroud.gov.uk
Useful links
Frequently asked questions about Contaminated Land
DEFRA web page of frequently asked questions on Contaminated Land.
Environment Agency information on Contaminated Land
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/landquality/113813/
PDF
A Strategy for the Identification of Contaminated Land - 24/10/2006 : 577Kb
PDF
Information and Guidance for Homeowners - 24/10/2006 : 188Kb
PDF
Development of Potentially Contaminated Land - 24/10/2006 : 228Kb
