Contaminated land
The UK has a long history of industrial development. It has left a legacy of potentially contaminated land that may pose risks to public health and the environment.
We are in the process of devising a new West Northamptonshire Contaminated Land Strategy and anticipate this will be published in 2026.
At the current time the strategies for each sovereign area remain valid and are available below.
Please note these strategies will be superseded once West Northamptonshire’s Contaminated Land Strategy is published.
Public register of contaminated land
We maintain a register of any sites that have legally been defined as contaminated land under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
About the register
The register contains details of any:
- remediation notices which have been served (including names of the people who have been served)
- appeals against remedial notices
- notices of any land which have been designated as ‘special sites’
How to view the register
Our public register has no entries. We currently have no sites that have been formally determined as contaminated.
How the register is maintained
The register will be updated if any new sites are designated.
If you have any questions, please email the Environmental Protection Team at [email protected].
Developers
It is the responsibility of the developer to assess the potential risks to human health and the environment and ensure contamination is dealt with appropriately. Where a site is affected by contamination responsibility for securing a safe development rests with the developer and landowner.
Further guidance you may find useful:
- WNC local guide for development on potentially contaminated land (under review)
- Building regulations
- Government guidance on contaminated land
- Land contamination risk management (LCRM)
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Environmental searches
When buying or selling a property, solicitors may ask whether the land is contaminated. Environmental searches may raise questions about the former use of the site. We can provide a summary report of historic land-use based on records held by us. This is a chargeable service - see our fees and charges.
Email us at [email protected] for more information.
Last updated 11 March 2026