Barnsley Council has certain responsibilities and obligations regarding contaminated land.
In April 2000 new contaminated land legislation came into force. This will improve the system for the identification and remediation of contaminated land.
Most issues relating to land contamination can be dealt with via the planning regime. This is through the enforcement of Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Remediation of land can be demanded where this is not already taking place. The process of site investigation and remediation makes sure that all land in the Barnsley is suitable for current use.
What do we do?
- Identify and inspect any contaminated land in the Barnsley area.
- Establish responsibilities for remediation of the land.
- Ensure that appropriate remediation takes place.
- Keep a public register detailing the regulatory action we have taken under the new regime.
- Act as consultants for our planning department on contamination issues.
The purpose of an inspection of potentially contaminated land is to:
- determine whether the land may be contaminated
- dictate whether action is necessary to ensure the clean up of the pollution
- make sure the land does not pose unacceptable risks to people, the environment, water and property
You can find out more by reading our Contaminated Land Strategy.
You can download the public register or make an appointment to see it during office hours.
You can report potentially contaminated land online using our form below.
Remediation activities
We recommend that you contact us for advice regarding potential contamination issues.
Any remediation should be carefully designed and planned making sure the risks identified during assessment of the land are appropriately managed. Remediation objectives should ensure that any unacceptable risks are addressed.
Even where remediation is being undertaken outside of Part 2A, it's likely to drive the standards. This means that no further remediation action is required in the future.
Sometimes remedial activity can have an adverse impact on the environment. It is essential that these impacts are controlled, to ensure that remediation results in environment improvement. This can be achieved with an appropriately designed remediation scheme and by applying legislative controls to the remediation objectives.
Legislative control
The Environment Agency encourages environmentally sound management of waste soils. This is because waste soils can be a risk to humans, water or ecosystems.
You'll need a waste management licence (or an equivalent permit, authorisation or consent) to dispose of contaminated soil and associated ground waters or the contaminants within it.
The mechanism for legislative control depends on the actual remediation activity. A waste management mobile plant licence is the preferred route of licensing the treatment of waste soil.
If you need any advice about the reuse or disposal of soils, please contact the Environment Agency.
Useful links
The Environment Agency has an extensive research programme, including a number of projects key to Part 2A. Find out more from Environment Agency Contaminated Land.
The Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funds a contaminated land research programme, DEFRA Contaminated Land. This supports policy on contaminated land, providing technical advice and guidance.
Model procedures for the management of Land Contamination (CLR11) Environment Agency CLR11.
Information on contaminated land and planning can be found in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Investigation of potentially contaminated sites - code of practice. BS 10175:2011 can be purchased from the BSI online shop.