Contaminated land

Land contamination is a material consideration in the determination of a planning application.

When a planning application is received, the possible risks associated with contamination are assessed. Information provided by the applicant and sources held by the Council are used to determine the level of risk and whether further investigation of a site is required.

Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 requirements

The Council's Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 requires the submission of the following to make sure a sufficient and proportionate level of information is provided.

Contaminated Land Screening Assessment form

This form is needed for all non-major developments involving:

• the conversion of barns to dwellings or holiday accommodation
• the erection of dwellings
• the change of use of land to allotments or small holdings

Non-major applications

A non-major application is classed as:

• up to 9 dwellings
• residential development on a site having an area of less than 0.5 hectares
• the provision of buildings creating less than 1,000 square meters of floor space
• development on a site having an area of less than one hectare

Contaminated Land Screening Assessment form

Contaminated Land Survey (Phase One)

This is required for:

• all major developments involving residential development, care homes, holiday accommodation, commercial development and public infrastructure
• all new development proposals on sites which have currently, or in the past, been used for industrial purposes and where contamination is known or suspected on the site or adjacent land
• where the proposed use would be particularly vulnerable to the presence of contamination, for example, residential, care homes, holiday accommodation, allotments and small holdings

Major applications

A major application is classed as:

• ten or more dwellings
• residential development on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares of more
• the provision of buildings creating 1,000 square meters or more of floor space
• development on a site having an area of one hectare of more

Guidance

In assessing issues of contamination, the Council has adopted guidance provided by the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group.

• Development on land affected by contamination
• Verification requirements for cover systems

Please complete the relevant form and submit it with your application to make sure you meet the Council's Local Validation requirements.