Rapid risk assessments for contaminated land in Leicester
If you’re thinking about developing land in Leicester, north west Leicestershire, one key issue to be aware of is contaminated land. With its long history of industrial production, Leicester, like many UK cities, has many contaminated areas.
However, contaminated land doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. With the right planning, surveys, and support, many contaminated sites can be safely redeveloped. In fact, making use of brownfield (or contaminated) land is a big part of Leicester’s long-term growth strategy.
In this article we’ll explain what contaminated land is, Leicester City Council’s regulatory role, and what steps to take if you’re planning to develop a potentially contaminated site.
Contaminated Land: key issues
Contaminated land refers to land that contains substances that could pose a risk to human health, water supplies, property, or the wider environment. Many contaminated sites may contain substances such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, chemicals, asbestos, or landfill gases.
Land contamination results from previous industrial production or waste disposal activities. Although the industries may be long gone, the contamination can remain in the soil, surface waters or groundwater for decades: controlling threats posed by land contamination is crucial.
Local authorities don’t view contaminated land as automatically problematic, but it must be properly assessed and managed.
Contaminated Land in Leicester
Leicester, in north west Leicestershire, has an industrial past: throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the city was a hub for:
- Textile and garment manufacturing
- Dye works and tanning
- Metal foundries and engineering
- Gasworks and fuel storage
- Landfills and waste disposal sites
Many contaminated sites were developed before environmental regulations were in place, meaning waste and chemicals may have been disposed of in ways that wouldn’t be allowed today. As a result, some sites may now require investigation and potential remediation before they are safe to reuse.
Leicester City Council’s Contaminated Land Policy
Under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Leicester City Council is legally required to identify and manage contaminated land within its boundaries. The council also acts as the local planning authority, a regulatory role which involves ensuring that new developments don’t pose a risk due to contamination. The council also maintains a public register of contaminated sites across north west Leicestershire.
The council’s main priorities when it comes to land contamination include:
- Protecting human health and the environment
- Preventing the spread of pollution to watercourses or groundwater
- Supporting the safe redevelopment of brownfield sites
- Ensuring land is “suitable for use” before it’s developed
As part of the planning process, developers are expected to assess land for significant risks, submit relevant environmental reports to local authorities and carry out remediation work focused on controlling threats present.
How the Council Manages Contaminated Sites
When a planning application is submitted for a site that may be contaminated, Leicester City Council typically requires a phased approach:
Phase 1: Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study)
A review of the site’s historical use, environmental setting, and potential sources of contamination or related links. The desk study will also consider a site’s current use.
Phase 2: Intrusive Site Investigation
This involves testing of soil, surface waters, and gas to identify and assess the presence and extent of contamination.
Remediation Strategy
If contamination is found, a remediation plan must be submitted, detailing how the site will be made safe and any significant risks eliminated.
Validation Report
Once remediation is complete, the developer submits a report proving the work has been done to a satisfactory standard.
This process is essential to ensure the safety of future occupants and to meet planning conditions set by local authorities.
What Problems Can Contaminated Land Cause?
- Health risks: Certain chemicals or pollutants can be hazardous to human health.
- Environmental damage: Contamination can leach into watercourses, harming ecosystems.
- Planning delays: Without proper assessment and documentation, planning permission may be delayed or refused.
- Construction challenges: Contaminated soil can increase costs due to the need for specialist handling and disposal.
A Push to Reuse Brownfield Land
Leicester City Council is committed to using brownfield land wherever possible protect greenfield sites and natural habitats. Its public register of potentially polluted sites provides information about individual sites. By encouraging the reuse of contaminated land, the city can grow sustainably without sacrificing the environment.
Aiming to Develop Land in Leicester?
If you’re planning to develop a site with a history of industrial production, your first step should be to hire a contaminated land consultant: they are experts in environmental risk and site investigation and will guide you through the process, including:
- Conducting a desk study to review the site’s history and identify potential risks and related links to pollution.
- Managing any intrusive investigations needed to confirm contamination.
- Creating a remediation plan if necessary.
- Liaising with Leicester City Council to ensure all planning conditions are met.
Prepare with confidence
Many contaminated sites exist in cities like Leicester, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. With proper investigation and expert advice, such sites can be safely transformed and reused.
If you’re developing or investing in contaminated land in Leicester, make sure you start with the right knowledge and team. While checking the council’s public register of contaminated land sites will provide some information, a contaminated land consultant will help you navigate the planning process with confidence: an initial desk study will clarify outstanding issues early on.
Our experienced geo-environmental consultants carry out surveys on many contaminated sites in Leicester and UK-wide. If you are planning a development project on a potentially contaminated site, they can advise you on how to proceed.
For a free quote complete our contact form or get in touch by email or telephone. If you would like to accept our quote, we can make an appointment for a site visit at a suitable time.