Development on contaminated land

If you're the owner or developer of a site it's your responsibility to prevent unacceptable risks from pollution and land instability, and ensure that any future development is safe and suitable for use.

 Planning applications must be supported by an appropriate 'contamination assessment' if:

• there's evidence that your site may be affected by contamination
  and/or
• the proposed use is 'vulnerable to the presence of contamination' (for example, residential housing)

Due to the complex and technical nature you should to refer guidance published by the YALPAG Planning guidance development on land affected by contamination

Additional guidance from YALPAG should be followed if you plan to import topsoil and subsoil whether or not this is part of an engineered cover layer, or you need to provide gas protection.

 Additionally, Sunderland has a localised legacy of mining and wartime activity.

• Sites within the coalfield should be supported by a Coal Mining Report, and a Coal Mining Risk Assessment will be required within any Development High Risk Area.  The Coal Authority Interactive Map Viewer provides a high risk area option.

A preliminary unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk assessment is required for developments in areas that have experienced aerial bombardment or when they are close to historical military sites such as airfields or anti-aircraft weaponry. 

Alternatively you can request pre application advice. Our charges are in accordance with the Pre-Application Charter.

For further information contact the City and neighbourhood team.