POLICY LE30 (CP26)
Land Affected by Contamination

Development on land known or thought to be contaminated land will be permitted provided that contaminant sources, pathways and receptors are clearly identified in a risk assessment and measures taken to treat, contain and control contamination so as not to:

1. Expose the occupiers of a development and neighbouring land uses to unacceptable risk;
2. Cause the contamination of adjoining land or allow contamination to continue;
3. Lead to the contamination of any watercourse, water body or aquifer;
4. Have an unacceptable adverse effect on habitats and ecosystems.

6.112 Previously used or brownfield land that is contaminated or thought to be contaminated must be brought back into beneficial use as soon as possible in order to use scarce land resources efficiently. It is current Government Policy to encouragethe use of brownfield sites in preference to greenfield sites and the City Council will encourage the reclamation of contaminated land in sustainable locations by supporting its development. In 2001 the City Council published its Contaminated Land Strategy. This sets out its statutory responsibilities in relation to contaminated sites and identifies the process whereby it will identify such land. Priority in the redevelopment of derelict and contaminated sites will be given to those in urban locations. The redevelopment of contaminated sites such as former gasworks, sewage works, waste disposal and metal processing sites can provide a means of cleaning up sites which remain a threat to health or the wider environment. When redeveloping land affected by contamination, any discharges to the public sewer require permission from United Utilities. The responsibility for providing information on whether the land is contaminated rests with the developer. Liaison with the Environment Agency is advisable. The City Council maintains a public register of contaminated sites as required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

6.113 When redeveloping land affected by contamination any discharges to the public sewer require permission from United Utilities. Liaison with the Environmental Protection Services of Carlisle City Council, the Environment Agency and United Utilities is advisable. An applicant proposing development on, or near, a site where contamination is suspected will be required to submit details of site investigatory works and remediation strategies before development commences.