Land transaction and development

What is contaminated land?

This is a wide-ranging term used to describe the impact to soil and water from historical human activity. Land contamination is caused by a variety of past uses including historical industrial use, disposal of waste materials (licenced and unlicensed) and the importation of material to raise ground levels. In some cases, contamination of soils can occur due to natural occurring compounds, typically metals.

In some cases, where there is a possibility that harm could be caused to certain water bodies, human health and ecology, land impacted by contamination can be determined as ‘contaminated land’. This has a specific legal definition set out in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act.

Known as the model procedures for the Management of Land Contamination, LCRM sets outs the guiding principles and processes for the assessment and remediation of land contamination. The document is designed to ensure all environmental assessments are undertaken in accordance with government policies and / or legislation within the UK.

The environmental assessment is designed to assess and address risks to:

• Human health
• Property (existing or proposed) including buildings, crops, livestock, pets, woodland and service lines and pipes
• Adjoining land
• Groundwaters and surface waters
• Ecological systems
• Archaeological sites and ancient monuments

Contaminated Land can present numerous commercial, technical, and legal challenges all of which generate uncertainty, cost, and delay when land is being bought, sold, or redeveloped. We strongly believe that the key to managing land affected by contamination, and the successful completion of any land development project, comes from straightforward, concise, and timely advice which quantifies risks and delivers value.