Pollution control - contaminated land
The Contaminated Land Strategy was agreed by the council’s Cabinet in July 2001. To access the strategy contact Scientific Services on (020) 8359 7517/7448
The strategy sets out how the borough will identify and investigate contamination of land in its area and use its enforcement powers where necessary. A database of previous land uses going back to the 1800s has been bought.
If land is found to be contaminated under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990, the risk must be removed. In many cases this means removing the contamination from the site.
In other instances it is safe for the contamination to remain if, for example, it is sealed under concrete or clay so no one can come in to contact with it.
Where remediation notices have been served or the work has been done voluntarily the details go on to a public register. This register also holds details of all sites in the borough which have been designated contaminated land.
In 2005-6, 70 out of 335 potentially contaminated land sites within the borough were assessed as not contaminated.
A local land charge will inform whether a premises is on or adjacent to statutory contaminated land. If a homebuyer/solicitor requires information about premises near or adjacent to potentially contaminated land, prescribed industrial processes or ex landfill sites, the cost of a basic enquiry is currently £42.
For a detailed inquiry including historical land use map data the cost is £94. There is a 10 working day target of providing a report once the fee (made payable by cheque to the London Borough of Barnet) has been received. Please contact the Scientific Services team - contact details opposite.
Many so called Brownfield sites are made suitable for their new uses through planning conditions. Scientific services become involved in discussions with the environmental consultancies that advise developers in such cases and consider their site reports.
If you have any concerns about where you live you can contact the Scientific Services
team for advice.- contact details opposite.
Email this pageLast modified by: Webmaster on 04/07/2011