Contaminated land Sheffield: investigate contamination concerns

Rapid risk assessments for contaminated land in Sheffield

Sheffield, often referred to as the `Steel City,’ has a proud industrial past. However, this heritage has left some areas with contamination challenges. Sheffield City Council has a policy of balancing the need to protect public health and the environment with reusing contaminated land to enable the city to grow sustainably.

If you’re considering developing a potentially contaminated site in Sheffield, this guide explains the council’s approach, key contamination issues, and what steps to take.

Sheffield’s industrial past

Sheffield’s history of steel production and engineering has left a legacy of contaminated sites, particularly in areas associated with:

• Steelworks and foundries: Heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and chemical residues can be found in areas formerly used for metal processing.
• Coal mining: This has left subsidence and contamination from mines and spoil heaps.
• Chemical works and tanneries: Industrial chemicals, solvents, and heavy metals were often disposed of into the ground during operations.
• Gasworks: Former gasworks sites may harbour coal tar, arsenic, and cyanide contaminants.

Areas with historical contamination in Sheffield include parts of the Lower Don Valley, Attercliffe, and Tinsley, which were once hubs of industrial activity.

Disturbing contaminated land: the risks

Developing contaminated sites could create new pathways for pollution to spread. The risks, which could affect health and ecosystems, depend on these three factors being present: without all three being evident, any threat is minimal.

1. A source of contamination.
2. A pathway for the pollution to reach people or the environment (a receptor).
3. A receptor.

Understanding contaminated land

Contaminated land is defined under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as land where harmful substances in the ground pose a significant risk to human health, property, or the environment.

Sheffield City Council’s contaminated land policy is grounded in national legislation and guidance, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the National Planning Policy Framework, and the Contaminated Land Statutory Guidance.

Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

This establishes the council’s duty to inspect land and address risks. Key principles include:

• Assessing the likelihood of harm to people or the environment via a risk-based approach.
• `Polluter Pays’: this principle holds the party responsible for the contamination accountable for its remediation, where possible.
• Development-led remediation: contaminated land is investigated and cleaned up in any future development.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

This makes land contamination a material consideration in planning decisions; it states that planning policies should support the use of suitable brownfield land for development. Paragraph 197 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that the safe development of contaminated land is the responsibility of either the developer or landowner, or sometimes both. Local authorities have a statutory duty to address contamination risks under the NPPF.

Key principles of Sheffield Council’s contaminated land policy include:

1. Prioritisation of high-risk sites.
   The council identifies and assesses sites based on potential risks to human health and the environment, prioritising those that require immediate attention.
2. Encouraging brownfield redevelopment.
   Sheffield is committed to maximising the reuse of brownfield (previously developed) land to reduce pressure on undeveloped greenfield sites. This approach supports urban regeneration while protecting natural spaces.
3. Integration with planning and development.
   Contaminated land issues are primarily addressed through the planning process. Developers are responsible for ensuring that land is safe for its intended use.
4. Collaboration with developers and consultants.
   The council works closely with developers, geo-environmental consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure that remediation is carried out effectively and according to regulations.

Development on contaminated land in Sheffield

If you want to develop a potentially contaminated site in Sheffield, a contaminated land risk assessment will be required. If contamination is confirmed, the report will clarify the remediation work necessary to allow planning permission to be granted and development to proceed.

Geo-environmental consultants conduct contaminated land assessments according to the Environment Agency’s Land Contamination Risk Management guidelines, which involve:

1. Pre-application advice.
   Contact Sheffield City Council’s planning team early in your project for advice on contamination concerns and necessary assessments.
2. Submission of a desk study and preliminary risk assessment.
   As part of your planning application, you’ll need to provide a Phase 1 Desk Study that identifies historical uses of the site, potential contamination, and initial risk assessments.
3. Site investigations.
   If contamination is suspected, a Phase 2 Site Investigation will be required. This involves soil, water, and gas sampling to assess the extent of the contamination.
4. A remediation strategy.
   If contamination is confirmed, a remediation plan will be needed, containing details of how the site will be cleaned up to make it safe for its intended use.
5. Implement and validate remediation.
   Once remediation is complete, a validation report must be submitted to the council to confirm that the site is safe and meets planning conditions.

Why reuse contaminated land that has potential problems?

Sheffield City Council promotes the reuse of contaminated land for several reasons:

• Urban growth: Brownfield redevelopment supports the city’s growth while minimising the environmental impact of new developments.
• Greenfield protection: By focusing on previously developed sites, Sheffield preserves green spaces for recreation and biodiversity.
• Economic regeneration: Revitalising former industrial areas brings jobs, housing, and amenities to communities. Successful projects, such as the redevelopment of parts of the Don Valley, demonstrate the benefits of transforming contaminated sites into vibrant, usable spaces.

Strategic planning

Sheffield’s policy on contaminated land reflects its commitment to balancing growth with environmental stewardship. By addressing the challenges of its industrial past, the city can look forward to a sustainable future.