Contaminated land information

Across the UK, industrial and other historical land use has left a legacy of land affected by contamination. Substances in, on, or under land, can cause potential harm to people, property and the wider environment. Substances can also cause pollution of our watercourses and groundwater.

Addressing land affected by contamination brings many social, economic and environmental benefits. It allows the safe redevelopment and regeneration of brownfield land, helps to meet the increasing demand for housing whilst safeguarding our natural environment.

Contaminated Land Strategy

Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires every local authority to have a written contaminated land strategy. This explains how we carry out our contaminated land duties.

We must inspect our area for sites which may be affected by contamination and undertake an investigation if there is a possibility that the land presents a significant risk to human health or the wider environment.

If a site is found to meet the statutory definition of contaminated land, we will decide who needs to deal with the contamination.

Sites currently being considered under the Part IIA Framework

There are three sites currently being addressed through the Part IIA regulatory process in Cheshire West and Chester. You can find out more information about these sites here:

Contaminated Land Public Register

There are five sites within Cheshire West and Chester which have been determined as contaminated land.

The Contaminated Land Public register details any regulatory action taken following a determination of a site as contaminated land. You can access our public register here:

Building or developing on potentially contaminated sites

It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure that land is made safe for its proposed use.

The potential risks of land contamination must be considered when planning any new development. A Contaminated Land Preliminary Risk Assessment report must be submitted with a planning application if:

• there is a reason to suspect that contamination could impact the proposed development and / or the wider environment, or
• the proposed end use would be sensitive to contamination. This could include residential properties, educational facilities (school property, nurseries), or allotments

Additional contaminated land reports may be required depending on the outcome of the preliminary risk assessment.

Further guidance on development of sites affected by contamination can be found on the Planning Portal:

Environmental Records Search

You can ask us to search our records for environmental information relating to land contamination. This may be for the purpose of selling a property, or to prepare a contaminated land preliminary risk assessment report.

Available records include:

• Sites identified as potentially contaminated land.
• Unlicensed or closed landfill sites.
• Sites determined as statutory Contaminated Land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• Site investigation information and reports, where available.
• 1967 Foot and Mouth Burial sites.
• Private water supplies

Please check that the site/address is within the area of Cheshire West and Chester. You can do this using the Gov.UK Find your Council search function.

To request an environmental records search, please email the Environmental Protection Unit and provide:

• a plan, clearly identifying the site or property boundary
• a list of the records you would like us to search
• your contact details

A charge may be applicable depending on the requirements of the request. If a charge is to be made, we will notify you in writing, along with an online link to make payment. Please advise us if you require an alternative payment method.

Upon receipt of payment, we will complete the search within 20 working days.

You can contact us via email at RegulatoryServices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk