Council strategy
All local authorities have a duty to inspect their areas for contaminated land, and to deal with any contamination in a satisfactory way in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The act defines contaminated land as an area where significant harm is being caused or is likely to take place because of the substances in, on, or under the land, or where the pollution of controlled waters has occurred, or is likely to be caused.
All councils throughout the country are legally obliged to produce a strategy for contaminated land – we have developed our strategy in accordance with government guidelines, including the Environment Agency – GOV.UK.
The strategy sets out our approach to our legal duties regarding contaminated land, such as how we will:
- inspect our area for any land which may be contaminated
- notify affected persons of any identified contaminated land
- decide, in consultation with the Environment Agency, whether any contaminated land is a ‘special site’ due to the presence of conditions such as waste, acid or polluted controlled waters
- consult on, and formally require, appropriate action when contaminated land has been found
- take enforcement action against those who fail to comply with any necessary measures
- maintain a public register of contaminated land
If you’d like a copy of our contaminated land strategy document, please email contaminated.land@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Guidance for developers
Because of Portsmouth’s constrained coastal location and its industrial and military history, a large number of sites have been contaminated due to past use. This contamination can harm public health and safety, damage the environment, and impact surrounding businesses and homes and their economic activities.
Land contamination, or the possibility of it, is therefore a material planning consideration. If you’re planning a development, you must consider the possibility of land contamination at every stage in the planning process.
We have two guidance documents:
- Validation guidance specifies what must be submitted with planning applications.
- Guidance for developers outlines how to assess and manage land contamination.
If you’d like copies of the guidance documents, contact us at contaminated.land@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.