Leeds has a long industrial history which means that many areas of land within the district have been used for a wide variety of industrial purposes. These types of activities generally involve the use or production of a range of chemicals and substances which can cause contamination of soils and waters if they find their way into the natural environment.
The lack of proper controls, particularly in the early part of the 20th Century, mean that these substances weren't properly handled or contained and many of them have found their way into the ground at these industrial sites and in their surrounding areas.
The contaminated land team exists to make sure that this historical legacy of contamination doesn't pose a risk to the people or the natural or built environment of the Leeds district.
What do we do?
The work of the contaminated land team is split into two main areas:
1. Cleaning up sites as part of the planning process
The huge growth and regeneration of Leeds in the last few years means that many old industrial sites are being redeveloped into new housing and offices. The contaminated land team make sure that any sites that are being redeveloped in this way are investigated and, if necessary, cleaned up, so that people can live and work at these sites without any risk of harm from substances left in the soil by the previous occupiers of the site.
2. Cleaning up sites as part of an inspection process
Recent government legislation requires councils actively to investigate their districts to try to identify sites where previous uses may have left contamination in the soils or groundwaters and which may now pose a significant risk to the health of people or to the natural or built environment.
Further details about each of these areas can be found by following the links on this page.
Environmental searches
The recent legislation also means that the previous use of a site has now become an issue when people buy and sell houses. The contaminated land team may be able to provide information about the history of a site which can help to clarify problems which crop up during the property transaction process.
Again, further details of this service can be found by following the links on this page.
Sustainability
As part of the Sustainable Development Unit, the work of the contaminated land team forms an integral part of the council's drive towards sustainable development and the protection of our natural and built environment for the generations to come.
Need to contact us?
Contaminated Land Team
Minerals and Waste Planning Group
Sustainable Development Unit
Development Department
The Leonardo Building
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD
Fax: 0113 2476484
Or contact us by email from the link on this page.