Why is Land Contamination a Material Planning Consideration?
Contamination of land can occur as a result of former industrial or commercial uses of land or adjacent land and as a result of waste disposal, chemical storage, spills or fly tipping. Contaminants can exist in soil and groundwater for many years and may be found in near surface soils and at depth. Chemicals may not remain static in a particular place, they can move through soils either as liquids, dissolved in water or other chemicals and as gases. Contaminants can also move in association with surface water such as streams or drainage ditches and groundwater. If contaminants are left in place they can result in unacceptable risks to the natural and historic environment, buildings and other property and the health of future occupants. Developers have a role to play in ensuring that land is suitable for a new use and the planning regime under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, is an important means through which contaminated land investigation and remediation will occur.
