Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy

 

3. BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL STRATEGY: OVERALL AIMS AND PRIORITY ACTIONS

In developing a new policy for the inspection of the District for contaminated land, a number of additional factors need to be considered in conjunction with the requirements of Part IIA. The factors identified in the following sections will influence the scope of new policy and the methods by which it may be implemented.

3.1 Aims of the Strategy

The implementation of the Contaminated Land Strategy will be carried out with the following aims:

* To identify unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from the immediate and long-term effects of contaminated ground;

* To address properties/land in need of remediation in order to improve the environment within the B&NES District;

* To encourage methods of tackling contaminated land, which ensure compatibility with Council policy, encourage best practice and are in the spirit of sustainability;

* To provide a Strategy available to the public, which presents the regime in a clear and understandable format;

* To provide an efficient mechanism to allow regulatory bodies and other interested parties to liaise and exchange information; and

* To encourage the voluntary remediation and redevelopment of contaminated land.

3.2 Objectives and Milestones

Specific objectives and milestones, with target dates, will assist the Council in achieving the aims set out in Section 3.1. Table 3.2 outlines the key issues that have been identified; also presented in the Gantt chart in Appendix K: Timetable for the Strategy Implementation, and these;

* are consistent with the minimum requirements for a strategic approach set out in the statutory guidance; and

* have taken into account the factors set out in the guidance particular to the district of B&NES.

Objective & Milestones Target date

Phase 1: Information Collection

Step 1 - Assess past land use and receptor information

Step 2 - Judgement on receptor sensitivity and contamination

Step 3 – Prioritise inspection of sites according to severity of potential for contamination

 

Development of information system (MapInfo): Ongoing and finalise by end of June 2004

Completion of 3 steps for District by end of June 2004

 

Phase 2: Detailed Inspection

Categorise risk of potential contamination to Table A receptors for further inspection

Detailed inspection of sites:

- Desk study

- Site visit

- Intrusive site investigation

Identification of Special Sites

 

 

 

Ongoing and finalise by end of December 2005

 
 
Phase 3: Determination
Determination of Contaminated Land
 
 
 
 
Ongoing and finalise by end of September 2006
 
 
Phase 4: Risk Assessment
Keep the risk assessment process under review.
 
 
 
 
 
Ongoing

 

 

 

Table 3.2 Objectives and targets

 
It is known that at selected Local Authority owned sites, B&NES Council and its predecessors in title have operated potentially contaminative processes (waste disposal, etc). Similar sites known to be operated by the Council and its predecessors but no longer in its ownership will also be considered.

The early inspection of these sites is seen as imperative in order that the Authority is seen to be setting a precedent in the inspection of land and the remediation of sites to a sustainable condition. Furthermore, the Authority can then make budgetary provision for a rolling remediation programme where necessary.

 
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