Legislation requires local authorities to inspect their area, determine contaminated land, secure its remediation and identify persons who should bear the costs. Local authorities are required to take a strategic approach in inspecting their area and to publish this as part of a written strategy.
The Pollution Control Unit provides both a regulatory and advisory function with regard to Contaminated Land.
Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part 2A), Local Authorities are given responsibilities for regulating contaminated land. This requires the authority to inspect the area, determine contaminated land, ensure a solution is found and identify who should bear the costs of the solution. The Local Authority must publish a strategy for carrying out the inspection function, a paper copy is available on request.
Development of Contaminated Land within North East Lincolnshire
The Pollution Control Unit also acts as a statutory consultee to the Planning Department on matters associated with the proposed development of land, which due to its historical use may have been contaminated. The Unit acts as a source of information for other council departments and a point of contact for the residents of North East Lincolnshire should they have any particular concerns.