Legislation under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It requires all local authorities to identify any contaminated land within their authority. We have produced a Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy [PDF] (1.03mb) to achieve this.

Please note that the council’s Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy is currently being reviewed.  A revised version of the strategy will be published here upon completion of the review process.  In the meantime, if you have any queries relating to the strategy please contact Environmental Health.

Background information
The land use in Guildford is predominately residential, outside the urban area most of the district is designated as Green Belt. The southern part of the borough lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with further areas designated as Area of Great Landscape Value.

The borough also contains sites of: 

• 16 Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• 10 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS)
• 140 Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI)
• 37 Scheduled Monuments & County Sites of Archaeological Importance
• 1,200 Listed Buildings
• 20 Locally Listed Buildings

The industry within the borough is classified as light and is restricted to industrial estates such as Slyfield, Lysons Avenue and Middleton Road. Historically the borough had active Iron, Brewery and Mineral Extraction industries.

What is contaminated land?

Any land which appears to the local authority in whose area it is situated to be in such condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that:

a) significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused;or

b) pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be caused.’

Section 78A(2) – Environmental Protection Act 1990. To see a copy of the act please go to www.hmso.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window).

Hence the definition of contaminated land does not include all land that is contaminated, if the contamination does not include risk to human health or specific receptors i.e. controlled waters.

The aims and objectives of the Contaminated Land Strategy for the period 2001 – 2006 are:

• To identify unacceptable risks to human health.
• To identify unacceptable risks to controlled waters and ecosystems.
• To protect designated ecosystems.
• To prevent damage to property.
• To encourage redevelopment of brownfield sites and
  voluntary remediation.
• To prevent any further contamination of land.

Pathway
There are three main ways contamination can affect receptors:

• Ingestion of soil by way of contaminated local produce or directly
• Inhalation of dusts and vapour affecting people, animals and plants and sometimes buildings.
• Direct soil contact affects people, animals, plants and buildings.

Receptors
The number of receptors in the area will determine the order in which the sites are inspected. The order of priority for receptors is as follows from most to least sensitive:

• Humans
• Controlled waters – Including surface waters, underground aquifers and drinking water abstractions
• Vulnerable Ecosystems
• Organisms – including pets, livestock and games including fish
• Other vegetation – agricultural crops
• Property (buildings and monuments

Contaminated land will only be classed as such if a pollution linkage can be identified i.e.Source - Pathway - Receptor

Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy [PDF] (1.03mb

How to request an Environmental Search
To request specific environmental health information requests must be made:

• In writing
• Be accompanied by a local map marking the boundary of the land
• Be reasonable and specific in the questions asked.
• Be accompanied by appropriate payment

Contact: Environmental Health

Housing & Health Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444371

Fax: 01483 444546
Email:  environmentalhealth@guildford.co.uk

Useful links

DEFRA Helpline
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Ergon House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Tel: 08459 33 55 77
Fax: 020 7238 3329
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.defra.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

Government Office for the South
1 Bridge House
Walnut Tree Close
Guildford 
GU1 4GA

Tel: 01483 882255
Fax: 01483 882259
Web: www.go-se.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

Environment Agency
Frimley Office
Swift House
Frimley Business Park
Camberley
Surrey
GU16 7SQ

Web: www.environment-agency.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

Surrey County Council
Petroleum Officer
SCC Trading Standards
Bay Tree Avenue
Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 7SY

Tel: 01372 371799
Web: www.surreycc.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

SCC Waste and Mineral Department
Tel: 0208 7861090
Web: www.surreycc.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

English Nature
Tel: 01476 568431
Web: www.english-nature.org.uk (this page opens in a new window)

English Heritage
Tel: 01604 735450
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk (this page opens in a new window)