Pollution control - contaminated land
In addition to agriculture, Allerdale was once a thriving
area for coal and iron ore mining. These activities were the main
source of employment, enabling the development and expansion of the
largest towns in the district. Mining and quarrying within
Allerdale have also influenced the current landscape, with colliery
spoil tips and ironwork slagheaps widespread along the borough's
coastal strip.
Industrial, mining and waste disposal practices, particularly
since the eighteenth century, have left a legacy of land
contamination. However, until now there has been no accurate record
of the number of contaminated sites in the UK.
When the Environment Act 1995 came into force it introduced Part
IIA into the Environmental Protection Act 1990, specifically to
deal with contaminated land. The aim of the new legislation is to
protect human health, controlled waters, ecological systems,
buildings and other property. Part IIA is a joint initiative,
enforced by Local Authorities (who are the lead regulator) and the
Environment Agency.
As a statutory requirement under Part IIA, Allerdale
Borough Council has recently revised its contaminated land
inspection strategy. This document sets out how the Council intends
to inspect the whole of the district in order to identify,
investigate, designate and remediate contaminated land to a
standard that is 'Suitable for Use'. Under the new regime it is
also the Councils responsibility to identify the individual and/or
individuals liable for any remediation costs, ensuring where
possible that the 'Polluter Pays'.
You can download our Contaminated Land Strategy below. The map
images (figure 1 and 2) must be downloaded separately.