Land contamination is usually caused by previous industrial or commercial use of land, or major waste deposits.
Contamination may be due to high levels of heavy metals, organic substances and other potentially harmful compounds. Levels of these contaminants may, in certain circumstances, be harmful to people or the environment.
The Council's responsibilities
The Pollution Control Group at Lewisham is responsible for implementing the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy, consulting on the redevelopment of contaminated land, conducting land quality searches and maintaining a Contaminated Land Register.
Contaminated Land Register
There are currently no entries in our contaminated land register.
Government legislation
Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is a legal framework which has been set up to deal with contaminated land. You can find out more about the act on the Environment Agency website (follow the link on the right).
Redevelopment of contaminated land
Contaminated land is considered under the planning system when sites which have a past use which is contaminative are redeveloped.
Visit the redevelopment of contaminated land page for further information.