Contaminated Land in Bournemouth: Planning Application Support

Contaminated land risk assessments

If you’re considering a development on a potentially polluted site in Bournemouth, it’s essential to understand how Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council deals with contaminated land. The council is responsible for identifying and managing contaminated land within its jurisdiction, ensuring that any development is safe for both people and the environment. Contaminated land remediation by developers or property owners is a key part of this strategy, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Contaminated land in Bournemouth

If land is contaminated, it may contain substances including heavy metals, oils, tars, chemical solvents, gases, asbestos, pesticides or radioactive materials. Depending on the amount of contamination, such substances may pose risks to human health or the environment.

In Bournemouth, historical industrial processes have contributed to land contamination: the district’s diverse geology, including chalk, clay, and gravel affects the mobility and persistence of contaminants in the environment. If contaminated land is discovered, there are various steps that property owners must carry out, involving site investigations and contaminated land remediation strategies, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Sources of contamination:

• Former industrial sites may contain residual pollution resulting in land contamination from past activities.
• Sites that were historically used for landfill and waste disposal may contain various contaminants.
• Sites previously used for chemical manufacturing or storage of petroleum products may have soil and groundwater contamination.
• Intensive farming practices may have led to pesticide and fertiliser residues in the soil.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council policy and regulatory requirements

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council adheres to the legal framework established by Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which mandates local authorities to identify and manage contaminated land so that it presents no threat to human health and the environment.

Paragraph 197 of the National Planning Policy Framework places responsibility for the safe redevelopment of contaminated land on developers or landowners. Property owners should also be aware that contaminated land is referred to in the Planning Practice Guidance and the Building Regulations and Environmental Permitting Regulations.

The council’s contaminated land strategy outlines its approach, emphasising:

• Identifying and removing unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.
• Seeking contaminated land remediation through the development management system.
• Encouraging voluntary remediation of sites where appropriate.
• Ensuring that contaminated land is made suitable for its current use and meets regulatory requirements.
• The strategy also states that land is not considered contaminated unless there is substantive evidence to the contrary.

Promoting Brownfield Redevelopment

The council encourages the redevelopment of brownfield (previously developed) land that may be contaminated: this approach aims to reduce the need to build on greenfield areas and supports growth in sustainable areas.

Brownfield Land Register

Sites suitable for residential development are added to the council’s Brownfield Land Register. While sites on this register are not guaranteed planning permission, entry does indicate the council’s support for redeveloping contaminated land sites. Site investigation will still be needed and contaminated land remediation, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Developing Contaminated Land in Bournemouth: 5 steps

If you’re considering developing potentially contaminated land in Bournemouth, follow this process:

• Pre-Application Consultation: Early engagement with the local planning authority will enable you to discuss potential issues with your site and find out about the required reports. A contaminated land risk assessment is likely to be required before a planning application can proceed.
• Preliminary Risk Assessment: This Phase 1 desk study and site walkover aims to identify potential contamination sources and pathways. It will involve research into the site history to identify potential sources of contaminated land. This assessment can be carried out by geo-environmental consultants according to the Environment Agency’s Land Contamination Risk Management guidelines. In some cases, consultants will use a conceptual site model to help with their calculations.
• Phase 2 Site Investigation: If the Preliminary Risk Assessment and desk study indicate that a detailed site investigation is needed, it will likely involve testing of soil and groundwater.
• Remediation Strategy: When all the information is gathered, a scheme must be devised ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements to make the site safe for its planned use.
• Validation and Reporting: On completion of the land remediation work, evidence must be provided to the council to show that the site meets all safety and environmental standards.

Balancing environmental care with growth

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s proactive approach to managing contaminated land promotes the transformation of historically contaminated sites into valuable assets. By working with developers and consultants, the council ensures that development within the district is both safe and sustainable, enabling urban regeneration and protection for the environment.

To be certain of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, property owners are likely to need a phase 1 desk study to assess site history as a first step. This will determine whether a phase 2 assessment is needed and any subsequent contaminated land remediation work.

Arbtech’s experienced geo-environmental consultants can help you assess how land with contamination issues should best be dealt with. For further information, fill in our quick quote form at the top of this page.