Contaminated land planning advice

Information on contaminated land for developers

In recent years Central Government has recognised the need to reclaim and redevelop brownfield land rather than greenfield sites such as parks and woodlands. Brownfield land is land that has been previously developed, often for industry or other contaminative uses. These sites may have become contaminated by the introduction of substances onto the land during its industrial use.

The council's Development Control Team increasingly has to deal with planning applications for development on or adjacent to contaminated and potentially contaminated land. The presence of contamination is a relevant planning consideration.

Planning Policy Statement 23 recognises that potential contamination is a material planning consideration and that voluntary remediation through the development phase is the most likely method of dealing with problems associated with historical use. The guidance states that:

"Local Planning Authorities should pay particular attention to development proposals for sites where there is a reason to suspect contamination... and to those for particularly sensitive use such as a day nursery or housing. In such cases it should normally require at least a desk study of the readily available records assessing the previous uses of the site and their potential for contamination"

"The remediation of land affected by contamination through the granting of planning permission should secure the removal of unacceptable risk and make the site suitable for its new use."

The council is currently developing a guidance document for developers in partnership with Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.