Development and Contaminated Land

 Planning Policy Statement 23 requires that the Local Planning Authority should ascertain whether the site is suitable for use with regards to the extent of land contamination at any site prior to granting planning permission for development or change of use.

Where a contamination is suspected or is known at a site, any planning applications affecting that site must be accompanied by a report including a desk study, site walkover and preliminary Conceptual Model as an absolute minimum.

The Essex Contaminated Land Consortium has produced a technical guidance document for applicants and developers on contaminated land. This document is being used by all Essex Council's to provide consistent advice to applicants and agents.

This document provides all the necessary information required regarding contaminated land and the planning process. To view this document please click  here .

Where land is suspected of being contaminated the Planning Service will ensure that the Council's  Environmental Health Service  is consulted on any development proposals affecting that land. 

Environmental Health Services will recommend that all applications that do not include the minimum information on contaminated land be rejected.