The Planning Process
Many sites where contamination may be present are addressed through the planning process. The National Planning Policy Framework, paragraphs 120 and 121, cover contaminated land.
Planning policies and decisions should ensure that the site is suitable for its new use; that after remediation the land, as a minimum, should not be capable of being determined as Part 2A land and adequate site investigation information, prepared by a competent person, is presented.
We (the Contaminated Land section) are consulted through the planning process on all applications where contaminated land needs to be considered and provide advice to the planning officers
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group (YALPAG) have produced a useful planning guidance booklet to assist in understanding the requirements of developing land which may be affected by contamination.
The guidance discusses the different stages of investigation and includes details of what the Council expects to see submitted in support of an application.
Where a small development is planned, for example, one house within a garden, developers may find it useful to complete a screening assessment form to help decide whether a contaminated land study is required. Please complete the form and submit it with the planning application.
A common form of remediation, particularly for residential developments, is the use of a cover system.
Removing a certain depth of soil for example in garden areas, protecting against contact with any contamination at depth with a membrane or aggregate layer then importing soil which has been demonstrated to be chemically suitable.
YALPAG has produced a verification guidance document to assist in understanding what is required in verification reports where such a system has been used.
The potential presence of ground gases (such as, methane, carbon dioxide) can also be an issue for development sites and requires consideration and possibly investigation. Where gas protection is required, correct design and installation is paramount.
Following the publication of Ciria C735, ‘Good practice on the testing and verification of protection systems for buildings against hazardous ground gases’, YALPAG has issued a guidance document on the verification of gas protection systems detailing the level of information expected to be submitted.
The preparation of land contamination reports under the voluntary National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) for Land Contamination Management should provide increased confidence to the applicant that the submitted report will be of a suitable standard to gain approval first time from the contaminated land team.
Visit the NQMS website for further information.
The contaminated land team welcomes the opportunity to discuss any development proposals for land which may be affected by contamination prior to submission of a planning application.