Environmental Enforcement
Land Contamination
The Authority has a statutory duty to identify land which is
contaminated within the Borough and to secure, where appropriate,
remediation of that land.
At the present time this is being carried out largely by use of
the planning process, though a proactive approach to sites of
potential contamination is also carried out whenever possible. A
prioritised list of over 600 sites is being worked on
by Environmental Enforcement; a Public Register is also
maintained.
Land Contamination Strategy
The Council's Land Contamination Strategy was adopted in July
2001 and is available in hard copy from Environmental
Enforcement.
This country has the world's longest history of
industrial activity dating back to the beginning of the
Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Unfortunately this
has also left us with a legacy of contamination to address.
Maidstone, as a historic town, has its share of previously
industrial land including quarrying operations, often subsequently
used for landfill.
Maidstone's approach is two-fold:
- To identify potentially contaminated sites as they come up for
redevelopment and to seek to secure an appropriate level of
remediation through the planning process. It is quite likely
that sites redeveloped in the last ten years will have
been considered. To review records of previous industrial
use and to actively investigate sites on a priority basis.
Details of the progress of work on the Council's strategy can be
found by clicking here to find
the latest draft(31/05/06) form of Maidstone's Contaminated Land
Strategy.
There are a number of commercial organisations that will carry out
desk studies of the land around your property for a fee, some of
them are available via the internet. These are a valuable
starting point for checking your own property, or a potential
purchase, but they cannot tell you whether your land is
contaminated.
Contaminated Land Searches
It is also possible to contact Environmental
Enforcement to carry out a search for the possibility of
contamination being present on a particular site, usually as part
of buying or selling a property. This search is currently charged
at the rate of £25 +VAT per hour up to a maximum of 3 hours.
For this payment you will have a thorough historical search
of the particular area carried out and an interpretation of the
data discovered. Answers to specific questions will also be
answered when, and if, possible.
It is not uncommon for requests to be made for the immediate
release of this information sometimes even on the day that
contracts are being exchanged!
The Council cannot be held responsible for not supplying instant
information.
It is important to state here that no information will
be released without a payment being received first. Payments can be
made by telephone or personal visits to the Council offices. It is
important to state the precise address for where the search is
being made.