The contamination of land is usually due to commercial or industrial use or from the spillage or dumping of waste, including landfill. These activities may leave increased levels of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and other compounds on the land, and possibly in the groundwater; they have the potential to cause harm to people and the environment.
There are a number of important general public health matters that are investigated by Environmental Services staff. These include bonfires, odours, accumulation and blocked drains.
Bonfires
A large number of complaints are received, particularly during the summer, about domestic bonfires and commercial bonfires on building sites. There are no bye-laws controlling the times and frequencies at which bonfires are allowed. Complaints can be dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act legislation to prevent a statutory nuisance from bonfire smoke and ash.
If your neighbour causes a nuisance you can contact Environmental Services and make a formal complaint. You will initially be asked to keep a record sheet over a 14 day period to record the dates, times and duration of the bonfires. The EHO (Environmental Health Officer) will use the information as the basis for further action by us. An information leaflet and record sheet can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
Commercial bonfires or bonfires on construction sites are often of greater intensity and will affect a larger number of residents. For these reasons when an initial complaint is received every effort will be made to visit the complainant and the person having the bonfire at the time the bonfire is alight.
Drainage
Blockages in the public sewers are cleared by Three Valleys Water, they can be called on 0845 782 3333.
Where a blockage occurs in a drain or private sewer, the owners of the properties have responsibility for the removal of the blockage. It is always best for the owners to work together and jointly pay for the removal of blockages. Where no-one will take responsibility, EHO's can serve notices on householders; if necessary they can arrange for the work to be done and then charge the owners. If you have a complaint about a blocked private drain or sewer and need our assistance contact us on 01727 819406.
Accumulations
There are many occasions where rubbish is left on private land, at domestic and commercial premises. Rubbish may be a nuisance to neighbours from the smell and decomposition, and may encourage rodents. Contact us on 01727 819406 if you would like us to investigate your complaint.
If you are complaining about rubbish dumped on the highway or fly tipping, you should contact our Waste Management Services Department.
Contaminated Land - The New Regime
The Government has recently introduced a new Contaminated Land Regime to deal with sites where contamination is a problem for persons on or around the site, or where there is a risk of pollution of ground water or local water courses. A recent estimate by the Environment Agency suggests that over 300,000 hectares of land in the UK may be affected by industrial or natural contamination (DETR 1999).
The regime clarifies when the Council or the Environment Agency should intervene, what remediation will be required and who should pay. We have a duty to inspect the district to identify land where contamination is causing significant harm, or presents a significant risk of such harm and to ensure that proper remediation is carried out. The Environment Agency is responsible for the aspects of the regime relating to ground water, water courses and special sites.
In most cases contamination is only an issue when a new use is proposed for the land. This is dealt with through the planning system when development is taking place. In these cases development plans set out local policies for dealing with contaminated land, including planning conditions to require proper remediation. Following the introduction of the new contaminated land regime it is understood that national planning guidance will be updated.
As a first step towards the implementation of the new regime on contaminated land, all local authorities are required to produce a Contaminated Land Strategy that clearly sets out how land that merits detailed individual inspection will be identified. For further details on the new contaminated land regime contact us on 01727 819406
Date of last review: 03 July 2010