Contents
- Overview
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Requirements of Strategic approach
- Characteristics of the Solihull Borough
- The strategy for Solihull: Overall aims
- Procedures
- Liaison and Communication
- Review mechanisms
- Appendix A - Project Plan
- Appendix B - Glossary of terms
- Appendix C - Statutory Consultees
- Appendix D - References
Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy
Executive Summary
The Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy sets out how the Council will contribute to improving the quality of life in Solihull, by protecting and enhancing the environment of the Borough. The strategy sets out the requirements, aims, communication and procedures for dealing with contaminated land.
Under new regulations, the Council is required to inspect land in its Borough for contamination. A strategy must be submitted to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions by July 2001, detailing how the authority will take a rational, ordered and efficient approach to this inspection.
The Council's priorities in dealing with contaminated land will be:
- To achieve compliance with and enforcement of the statute
- To protect Human Health
- To manage future liabilities on council owned land
- To encourage voluntary remediation
- To encourage the re-use of brownfield land
A four-year programme of investigation and inspection will be undertaken, running from April 2001 to July 2005. An inspection programme based on population-density is proposed. The departments Patch areas will be used to divide the Borough into manageable areas. The patches with the highest population densities will be inspected first. At all times during the inspection of the Borough, council owned land will be considered in the same manner as all other land holdings. Controlled waters and protected areas of the environment will be also be examined and a final prioritisation exercise undertaken to establish the order in which problem sites should be cleaned up.
It is recognised that some sites may be identified outside this general approach to inspection that will require urgent attention. These sites will be dealt with as they arise. The Council will support parties wishing to undertake voluntary remediation and will encourage re-use of Brownfield land for development in preference to Greenfield development.
The Borough Council is the lead regulator on contaminated land but, wherever necessary, the Council will work in partnership with other organisations particularly the Environment Agency. Consultation will be undertaken with all relevant bodies and organisations. The participation of the general public is particularly welcomed and the strategy will be published on the Council's Internet site. All statutory consultees will be contacted between January and April 2001.
The regulations set clear criteria that must be met before land can be formally designated as contaminated land. As such it is possible some areas may be identified as being in a contaminated state but not be designated as Contaminated land. The expectations of some members of the public will not be met by the powers local authorities may exercise under contaminated land legislation. The Council must also maintain a public register that must contain specific information.
Contact Details
For more information please contact Community Services
Telephone: 0121 704 6826
Email: environment@solihull.gov.uk