Contaminated land information

Throughout the UK there are thousands of sites, which have suffered from the legacy of our industrial past.

Darlington Borough Council, like all councils in England and Wales is now in the process of identifying any contaminated land. We aim to determine if the contamination is causing unacceptable risks to human health and the wider environment.

What work do we carry out with regard to land contamination?

Contaminated land inspection strategy January 2013 [pdf document, 2mb]
Contaminated land inspection strategy June 2021 [pdf document]

Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which came into force in England on 1 April 2000. Local Authorities were required to publish a written strategy for inspecting their areas with the purpose of identifying land which is potentially contaminated.

Site investigation works

Site investigation works under part 2A

We are not currently investigating any sites within the borough.

We have previously investigated 4 former landfill sites. These have been determined as not being contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Environmental search requests

We hold and maintain a range of environmental information obtained from several sources, including;

historical maps,
borehole records,
previous investigative reports and
remedial works.

Other national search agencies would not necessarily have such local information available.

You can request this information if you wish to find out more with regard to potential land contamination on or surrounding a site or property within the Borough.

We strongly advise that an “Environmental Search” is obtained, prior to the purchase, lease or development of any land or property within the Borough.

Technical guidance

Technical guidance, YALPAG planning guidance and screening assessment for land contamination

We have adopted YALPAG technical guidance on the development of land affected by contamination to assist developers, landowners and consultants with the planning process.

The investigation, assessment, clean up and management of land affected by contamination is technically complex and should only be undertaken by a Competent Person.

In order to assist practitioners engaged in land contamination work we refer closely to the standards and requirements set out in Planning Practice Guidance and current best practice.

Reporting

Project report - Normal background concentrations of contaminants in soils in the Borough of Darlington [pdf document, 1.5mb]