Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
23.7.2.2 Spatial Planning Requirements
Spatial planning decisions involving contaminated sites cannot be made effectively
without considering the quality of the soil and the nature of any site management
solutions used to deal with contaminated sites. At a site-specific level, the most
important decision is usually the quality of land for a particular use, whether this
is for the current use, or in relation to potential future uses. Even where there is a
specific use, some of the particular details of use may not be realised at the time of
treatment of the site. They may include unmonitored changes, where, for example,
an owner carries out activities allowed as part of his normal use of the site. A typical
example is where the permission to build houses also allows later additional work
by the house occupier, for example to build an enlargement of the building which
may involve soil excavation. Where there is a known use, the assessment of fitness
for use should consider all possible additional activities on the site allowed within
the use classification.
It is also essential to consider the effect of the use of the site, or a change of
use of the site, on the characteristics of the site - including the hydrogeological
characteristics - and the behaviour of contaminants. This may not only affect the
fitness for use of the site, but also may cause the contamination to have an unac-
ceptable impact on the environment. This may make the particular use of the site an
impractical proposition.
There may be a very different land use in the future. For example in Brownfield
redevelopment where commercial or even industrial areas are being converted to
more sensitive land uses such as housing or leisure activities. Long-term manage-
ment of information is essential to retain knowledge about what has been done
and what future implications there might be for the land use. This may include
record keeping such as land “log-books” or registers, including information on site
condition.
A land use change in the future requires a detailed consideration in relation to
the components of RBLM. The standard of remediation that leaves the site fit for a
specific use would need reassessment for a new land use. If treatment of the con-
tamination has been based on controls of exposure pathways (or on other ways in
which the receptor has access to the contamination), or if the source reduction has
led to a limited overall standard, then the land resource may not be as flexible. For
the future, at a strategic level, this may not be adequate in conserving land as a
resource.
Incorporating RBLM into spatial planning policies and systems is one way
of managing contaminated sites effectively. Strategic policies can consider the
overall interaction of development with land quality to achieve optimum use of
land. This includes considering the wider issues of environmental protection and
resource conservation. It may not be appropriate to allow certain types of devel-
opment, for example, if they will cause an unacceptable environmental impact,
e.g., by mobilising contaminants, or restricting or interfering with other envi-
ronmental improvements like groundwater remediation. On a site-specific basis,
spatial planning controls can manage the continuing implications of long-term care
requirements linked to particular solutions.
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