The Council has a duty under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990 to devise a strategy to identify all contaminated sites within their area. Where contamination is found to be significant, the Council must actively take steps to remove or reduce the risk to people and the environment. View the Council's Contaminated Land Strategy.

However, whilst powers exist to require the remediation of contaminated land, Government guidance recognises that land potentially affected by contamination is a material planning consideration and that the most cost-effective time to deal with the problem is when development takes place.

Where an application for planning permission is to be made, it is the responsibility of owners and developers to establish the extent of any potentially harmful materials on their sites. The Council's duty is to ensure that owners and developers carry out the necessary investigations and formulate proposals for dealing with any contamination in a responsible and effective manner.

For further Government planning advice on contamination please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-affected-by-contamination

For further information on land contamination issues in the Borough please contact:

Environmental Health Services Section
Dartford Borough Council
Civic Centre,
Home Gardens
Dartford,
Kent
DA1 1DR

Telephone 01322 343409 or Online: Contact the Environmental Health Team