Contaminated land
Land is considered to be 'contaminated' if substances in or under the land could cause harm to the public or the environment.
The Council is responsible for:
- Keeping a contaminated land register (if needed) and making sure sites with contaminated land are dealt with
- Developing a contaminated land strategy
- Making sure contaminated land is dealt with for new planning applications
The GOV.UK website has information about:
Overview
Land is considered to be 'contaminated' if substances in or under the land could cause harm to the public or the environment.
This can happen if land was previously used for industrial purposes, such as a factory, mine, or landfill.
The GOV.UK website has more information about what counts as contaminated land, and who is responsible for making it safe.
See GOV.UK: Contaminated land.
If your land is contaminated
If you believe your land is contaminated, contact environmental health.
Planning permission and contaminated land
Residents and businesses
If you have submitted a planning application, and there is a risk that contaminated land will affect your development, this will be dealt with during the planning application process.
The Council's Contaminated Land Officer will decide whether your development will be affected, or if they need more information.
If the land is contaminated, work may be needed to treat the contamination.
Developers
You'll have to deal with the contamination either:
- before you get planning permission
- as part of the development
You are responsible for making sure the land is safe for:
- users
- the public
- the environment
Work to investigate contaminated land and make it safe must be carried out by a professional who:
- is a member of a relevant professional organisation
- has recognised and relevant qualifications, and
- has experience of dealing with contaminated land.
Specific developments will require a contaminated land assessment.
The document 'validation of planning applications in Tyneside' lists what developments will require an assessment as part of the initial application process.
Land contamination report
The National Quality Mark Scheme can be used when preparing a land contamination report.
The scheme helps to:
- make sure the correct standards are met
- make sure the report is suitable to get approval from the Contaminated Land Officer at the Council
- avoid extra costs due to re-submitting planning applications
Documents will be given an individual quality mark to show the work has been properly carried out.
Contaminated land searches
The Council's contaminated land search service
The Council provides a contaminated land search service.
The service costs £78 per hour.
Who can use the service
Members of the public may need a contaminated land search when buying or selling a property.
Developers or contractors may wish to use the service when planning new developments.
What we will check
The service can be used to check if any previous use of the land:
- may have contaminated the site, or
- may present an issue when planning a new development or project.
How to request the service
Contact environmental health.
Contaminated land in South Tyneside
Some sites in South Tyneside have previously been used for industrial purposes.
Work has been carried out to make these sites safe.
There are currently no 'contaminated land' sites as defined under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in the borough, so South Tyneside does not have a contaminated land register.
The Council's Contaminated Land Strategy
The Council is responsible for developing a Contaminated Land Strategy.
The strategy sets out:
- how the Council will identify and make safe land that may cause harm to the public or the environment
- how the Council will prevent any sites from becoming unnecessarily contaminated due to new developments
More information
The Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group (YALPAG) has produced further guidance on land contamination.