Full version of the Contaminated Land Strategy:

Executive summary

The London Borough Waltham Forest (LBWF) Contaminated Land Strategy has been developed to satisfy the legal requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Contaminated Land (England) Regulations 2000. This legislation requires all local authorities to develop and implement a Contaminated Land Strategy.

A three stage risk based approach has been developed to identify contaminated land in the borough. A Geographical Information System (GIS) system, desktop audits and site assessments are used to identify the presence of source, receptors and pathways to form a significant pollutant linkage.

LBWF, Environment Agency (EA) and other organisations such as the English Heritage, English Nature, Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are required to work in close liaison regarding contaminated land issues.

LBWF is required to undertake the following roles and responsibilities for the successful implementation of the LBWF Contaminated Land Strategy:

London Borough of Waltham Forest roles and responsibilities under the Contaminated Land Strategy

  • Inspect sites in the borough to identify contaminated land in compliance with the strategy
  • Identify and notify relevant parties that land is contaminated (occupiers, owners of land, Class A/B and EA)
  • Consult the Environment Agency on pollution of controlled waters
  • Decide if contaminated land should be special (unless appealed to Secretary of State) and transfer to the agency
  • Ensure remediation of land identified as contaminated land (excluding special sites)
  • Provide information to the Environment Agency

For non special sites

  • Consult with relevant persons
  • Decide upon remediation requirements
  • Decide who is excluded from liability, and apportion amongst remaining appropriate persons
  • Refer special sites to the agency for assessment
  • Maintain remediation registers and leave existing sites available for review
  • Undertake regular review process of strategy and update sites as information becomes available

The enforcement and implementation of this strategy is a complex role that will be carried out in accordance with the LBWF Enforcement Policy 1998 and the Cabinet Office Concordat March 1998. The implications of the LBWF Contaminated Land Strategy is explained in detail in the attached documents. This strategy has been developed to be consistent with national and local LBWF objectives and policy documents.

Contact us

Consumer Protection Services
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
Walthamstow  E17 4JF

email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
tel 020 8496 3000