Pollution control - contaminated land

The local authority maintains a list of contaminated land and regularly inspects and determines lands that may be contaminated and takes necessary action to clean up the pollution.

Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, inserted by Section 57 of the Environment Act 1995 places a duty on Local Authorities to inspect their area for contaminated land.  Section 78A(2) defines contaminated land for the purpose of Part IIA as:
 "Any land which appears to the Local Authority in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land,
 that –
 (a) Significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused, or
(b) Pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be caused"
 Thus land may be polluted but unless it presents a significant risk to a receptor such as a human being or an aquifer used to supply water the mere presence of a former contaminative use does not require immediate action by the Local Authority.

The Authority holds a database of historical sites in the Borough and is in the process of reviewing all the sites on a site-specific basis. In addition information from developers through the process of planning and development is added to the database.
The service also provides for the provision of information to potential purchasers of properties in the Borough. This is normally through solicitor searches and is charged at a rate of £81.00 per search.
In addition the service is a consultee to the Planning Authority where it reviews submitted details on contamination prior to approval for development.

Eligibility
None.

Required Customer Information
Payment must be provided prior to providing searches.

Service Level Agreement and Turnaround
None.

More information about this service

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions

Address:
Environmental Protection and Safety Environmental Health and Regulation
PO Box 57
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XH
Map

Telephone:
020 8379 3688

Fax:
020 8379 5120

Opening Hours:
020 8379 3661. Opening Hours 9:00am – 5:00pm

Useful Links

Environment Agency for Water related issue