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.