Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy

Review mechanisms

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.

7. Review mechanisms

This strategy outlines the general approach to be taken in inspecting land in the Borough for contamination. This section will describe instances when inspections will occur outside this general inspection framework, circumstances under which previous inspection decisions should be reviewed and measures to be taken to ensure the strategy remains effective and up-to-date.

7.1 Triggers for undertaking inspection

The strategy has already recognised there may be occasions where inspections may have to be carried out outside of the general inspection framework. Triggers for undertaking non-routine inspection will include:

• Unplanned events - e.g. if an incident such as a spill has occurred
• Introduction of new receptors - e.g. if housing is to be built on a potentially contaminated site, designation of a new protected ecosystem, persistent trespass onto a site by young people
• Supporting voluntary remediation - e.g. a potentially liable party wishing to undertake clean up before their land has been inspected by the local authority
• Identification of localised health effects which appear to relate to a particular area of land
• Responding to information from other statutory bodies, owners, occupiers, or other interested parties

While these occurrences may trigger non-routine inspections, if this strategy is to prove effective, they must not be allowed to significantly interfere with the milestones laid down in the general inspection framework. It will be important to consider this issue in all strategy reviews.

7.2 Triggers for reviewing inspection decisions

In addition there may be occasions where the findings of previous inspection decisions should be reviewed. This might occur, for example, if there were

• Significant changes in legislation
• Establishment of significant case law or other precedent
• Revision of guideline values for exposure assessment

It is important therefore that all decisions are made and recorded in a consistent manner that will allow efficient review.

7.3 Reviewing the strategy

As part of the overall quality management of this work, it is important to consider the need to review the strategy from time to time.

The strategy will be finalised following consultation during April 2001 and work will then begin in earnest on site inspection. It will be appropriate to review the milestones in light of progress after the first full year of operation. This review will therefore take place in April 2002 and the findings will be reported to the Council's Environmental Health Committee. If there are significant changes to the strategy, it may be appropriate to carry out further annual reviews in following years.

If the strategy is found to be operating satisfactorily throughout the period of the five-year workplan, the next review date will be June 2005 when the first inspection of the Borough has been completed and the remediation of contaminated sites has been prioritised.

Contact Details

For more information please contact Community Services

Telephone: 0121 704 6826

Email: environment@solihull.gov.uk