Working with contaminated sites in Derby: evaluate risks
If you aim to develop contaminated land in Derby, we explain Derbyshire County Council’s strategy and the steps to take. Firstly, we explain the background to contamination in the area.
Derby’s industrial history
Derby played a key role in Britain’s railway, engineering, and manufacturing history. From Rolls-Royce’s pioneering work in aerospace to the city’s long-standing railway industry, Derby has been at the forefront of innovation for centuries. However, this industrial success has left a lasting footprint on the land, with contamination risks that must be carefully managed on many sites.
Contamination Risks in Derby
Old factories, gasworks, and railway depots may have introduced hazardous substances into the soil and water. Common contaminants include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, solvents, sulphuric acid and asbestos. These pollutants can pose risks to human health and the environment if not properly addressed. Areas producing coal, former coking works and factories processing tar have left the soil poisoned, along with waste tips, leaky tanks and lagoons filled with polluted water posing threats to controlled waters. Most affected sites include former industrial zones, particularly along the River Derwent, where historic manufacturing once thrived.
The risks from developing contaminated brownfield sites
Breaking into contaminated land creates the risk of opening up new pathways allowing pollutants to disperse, potentially entering controlled watercourses and ecosystems. For a risk to arise, these three factors must be present: without all three, the threat is minimal.
- A contamination source.
- A route for pollution to spread to a receptor.
- A receptor, i.e., people or an eco-system.
Laws relating to contaminated land
Contaminated land is defined in Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as any site where substances in or under the ground present significant risks to health, property, or the environment. Dealing with contaminated brownfield sites means adhering to these principles:
- A risk-based approach: assessing potential harm to people or the environment.
- The `Polluter Pays’ approach: the polluter is responsible for remedial works if they can be identified.
- Remediation through development: future development plans must include cleaning contaminated sites correctly.
Local authorities must identify contaminated land that contains potential risks to health or the environment. Paragraph 197 of The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the safe development of contaminated land is the responsibility of the developer or landowner and sometimes both.
Derby Council’s contaminated land strategy
Through planning and investment, Derby is working to turn its industrial past into a foundation for a greener future. Under its Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy, and through its contaminated land register, the district council identifies, assesses, and manages land contamination risks to ensure public safety and environmental protection. Developers must carry out detailed land assessments for any planning applications and present a sound business case;; if necessary, they must implement remedial works before construction begins and deal with any reserved matters imposed.
The council supports the regeneration of contaminated brownfield sites in the planning process: transforming previously developed but unused land into thriving new spaces, whether a major regeneration initiative or a smaller scale project. By remediating contaminated land, Derby can provide new homes, business space, sustainable travel connections and green areas.
The Contaminated Land Risk Assessment
It is advisable to first engage with the district council planning department through a Pre-Application Consultation to discuss any potential contamination concerns and determine the necessary reports.
When dealing with land that may be contaminated, a contaminated land risk assessment is often required before planning permission can be granted. If contamination is identified, assessments will outline the necessary remedial works to allow planning applications to proceed.
Geo-environmental consultants can carry out a Contaminated Land Risk Assessment following the Environment Agency’s Land Contamination Risk Management guidelines. This assessment includes:
- Phase 1: Desk Study – Reviewing historical maps, industrial records, and environmental data to determine past and present land uses that could have led to contamination.
- Phase 2: Contaminated Land Investigation – Conducting on-site ground investigations, including soil and groundwater sampling to detect contaminants. In some cases, vapour extraction and landfill gas surveys may be needed. Trial pits might also be excavated to monitor ground conditions, and a conceptual site model may be developed to assist with the assessment.
- Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential risks to human health, water sources, and ecosystems.
- Remediation Planning – If contamination is found, consultants will propose remediation work which may include cleaning contaminated soil on-site or off-site, treating groundwater, or capping contaminated areas to prevent exposure.
- Validation and Reporting – Ensuring remediation work meets regulatory standards and submitting reports to the district council.
Site assessments enable projects to proceed
By working in partnership with developers and consultants, Derbyshire County Council supports the redevelopment of historically contaminated sites into valuable assets such as a country park, commercial development or new homes. Following site investigations and risk assessments, geo-environmental consultants can advise on the most effective steps to satisfy planning conditions and facilitate development. Adhering to this phased approach ensures compliance with Environment Agency regulations and development control requirements. By following these steps and with a sound business case submitted, a scheme will have the best chance of success.
For further information on how Arbtech’s geo-environmental consultants can assist you with the planning process, complete our quick quote form at the top of this page.