Contaminated land

We maintain a register of contaminated land.

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 areas 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".

 

Although a piece of land may be polluted, unless it presents a significant risk to a receptor such as a person or an aquifer used to supply water, it does not require our immediate action.

 

We hold a database of historically contaminated sites in Enfield, and we have reviewed all of them. In addition, information from developers, obtained through planning and development, is added to the database.

We also provide information to potential purchasers of properties in Enfield. This is normally through solicitor searches; each search currently costs £100. Information is provided after payment.

In addition, Environmental Health is a consultee to the Planning Authority: it reviews submissions on contamination before approval for development.