Contaminated Land in Gloucestershire: A Guide for Developers

Gloucestershire County Council’s Contaminated Land Concerns

Gloucestershire County Council collaborates with its district and borough councils to manage contaminated land, ensuring safe and sustainable development across the county. It has established policies and guidance to help developers address potentially contaminated land effectively.

Common causes of contaminated land

Contaminated land may be caused by the presence of substances such as heavy metals, oils, tars, chemical solvents, gases, asbestos, or radioactive materials at levels that could pose risks to human health, controlled waters or the wider environment.

Historical industries contributing to contaminated land in Gloucestershire include:

• Timber treatment works.
• Former gas production sites.
• Landfills and waste disposal areas.
• Old railway sites.

Legal requirements

According to Part 2a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils must identify and remediate contaminated land. Requirements surrounding contaminated land are also included in Paragraph 197 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Councils must keep a record of contaminated land on a public register.

Gloucestershire’s contaminated land policy  

Gloucestershire County Council’s Contaminated Land Strategy outlines procedures for site inspection, risk assessment, and remediation. Currently, no land within Gloucestershire is formally classified as ‘contaminated land’ under Part 2a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A public register records contaminated sites.

Developing potentially contaminated land in Gloucestershire

• Pre-application consultation: Discuss potential contamination issues with the council. Establish whether a contaminated land risk assessment will be needed.
• Preliminary Risk Assessment: This involves a desk study and site walkover to identify sources of potential contamination. Geo-environmental consultants conduct this process in line with the Environment Agency’s Land Contamination Risk Management guidelines.
• Site inspection strategy: If the Preliminary Risk Assessment indicates potential contamination, detailed investigations such as soil and groundwater sampling will be needed.
• Remediation strategy: A plan to remediate identified pollution issues must be drawn up: geo-environmental consultants will advise on the most cost effective measures.
• Validation and reporting: Following remediation, evidence must be provided to local authorities to prove that all required standards have been met. A planning application may then be formally determined.

Reusing contaminated land

Gloucestershire County Council actively promotes the reuse of contaminated land, aiming to balance urban development with environmental safeguards, reducing pressure on greenfield land and supporting sustainable growth.

The council’s Local Development Guide emphasises the importance of using brownfield (previously developed) land for new housing and commercial projects.

Further guidance

For information about how Arbtech’s geo-environmental consultants can help you with contaminated land assessments, along with details of current fees, fill in our quick quote form at the top of this page.