What is contaminated land?

Contaminated land is defined as land which appears to the local authority in whose area it falls, to be in such a condition due to substances in, on or under the land that significant harm is being caused or is likely to be caused, or that pollution of water is being caused or is likely to be caused.

For land to meet the statutory definition of contaminated land, there must be a significant "pollutant linkage". A pollutant linkage must contain:

• A source (pollutant - such as heavy metals, oil or chemicals)
• A pathway (how the pollutant comes into contact with something or someone) and
• A receptor (someone or something that will be harmed by the pollutant). Receptors not only include people but groundwater, rivers, ecological areas and buildings.