Development Control and Building Control
A significant amount of land contamination is cleaned up by redevelopment of derelict and previously used sites being brought back into beneficial uses. This is government’s preferred way of dealing with historic land contamination and generally results in quicker clean up of potential hazards.
Development Control and Building Control consult Pollution Control on proposals for development of land, new buildings and changed land uses. The Contaminated Land team then researches the history of the land to identify the likelihood of contamination being present that could affect users of the development.
If contamination is present or suspected of being present then “conditions” may be attached to planning approvals requiring the investigation and clean up of the land before the development is brought into use. Contaminated land team reviews reports of investigations and details of clean up activity to ensure that the work is satisfactory. Information about land provided by this activity contributes to the knowledge base on land condition being compiled by the council.
In some cases where our records and research show for example that a small excavation, ditch or hollow has been filled or levelled or where ground has been disturbed by surface mining activity then applicants seeking planning or building regulation approval may be advised of the situation and recommended to take it into account when building on the land.
For some developments close to closed landfill sites visits will be made to confirm that landfill gas is not likely to affect the property.
Contact us
Pollution Control
Engineering and Transportation Services
Walsall Council
2nd floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG
Telephone 01922 653348
Fax 01922 623234
Email pollutioncontrol@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 19 June 2009