Contaminated Land

Tameside has a rich industrial heritage with a wide variety of industrial activities undertaken within the area.  Historically, the predominant industries included textile and dye works, heavy engineering works, chemical works, gas works, brickworks and mining.  In general, early industrialists had little or no knowledge of the environmental effects of their manufacturing processes or operating practices.  Consequently, over a period of time a particular site may have been home to a variety of industries, each of which may have left substances in the ground that may be hazardous to human health and the environment. 
 
Land contamination issues can be addressed when land is redeveloped under the planning system, independently by landowners, or by Councils implementing their powers under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
 

Contaminated Land and Development

 
If you are the owner or developer of a site it is your responsibility to investigate and address any contamination issues and ensure that any future development is safe and suitable for use. Where a potential risk of contamination is identified, or the proposed end use of the site is particularly sensitive (e.g. residential), the Environmental Protection Unit recommends to the Planning Department that a planning condition relating to contaminated land be attached to the decision notice of any planning approval given.
 
 If you wish to gain information on how contaminated land conditions are regulated or if you would like to download a form or guidance, please click on the link below:

Contaminated Land Forms and Guidance

Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

The Council has a duty under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to identify land that presents an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment and ensure that those who are responsible for the contamination clean it up.

Contaminated Land Strategy Update [under review] - the Council is currently producing an update of the contaminated land strategy.

Please contact the Councils Environmental Protection Unit on 0161 342 3680 / 2691 if you require information on the Councils Contaminated Land Register including details of all land within the borough that has been formally determined as statutory Contaminated Land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

For more information on Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 please click on the link below.

For more information about Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 2000 visit the GOV.UK website

Environmental Information Requests and Charges

The Council is approached for environmental information on a regular basis. Some common reasons we are contacted include;

• For information on contamination issues in relation to a property transaction.
• By consultants / companies undertaking an environmental assessment of a site (usually related to purchase, development or to assess company liabilities).
• Where someone is interested in collecting information on their property.

The Councils Environmental Protection Unit holds a range of environmental information. Where requested, we will provide information in the form of a search. For further information on the different types of searches offered and associated charges and the Councils ‘Guidance in relation to Conveyancing and Contaminated Land’ please click on the links below.

• Environmental Search Charges Link

• Guidance in relation to Conveyancing and Contaminated Land Link

Please contact the Environmental Protection Unit via the link below or on 0161 342 3680 / 2691 should you require any further information or if you would like us to undertake an environmental search.

Report contaminated land

If you spot evidence of pollution or contamination on land or water you can report this by contacting the Councils Environmental Protection Unit via the link below or on 0161 342 3680 / 2691.