Update on contaminated land A Defra view Presented by: Maggie Charnley Date: 10 September 2014

EU action on soils Soil Framework Directive withdrawn in May 2014 Commission intend to produce further proposals, likely to be legislative Similar objectives, different methodologies? E.g. land recycling target Stakeholder meetings in 2015 Land as a resource communication (land use), plus soils proposals (soil protection) Initial IA findings – large uncertainty as text unknown, but potential cost to UK of £3.75 billion - £7.95 billion over 30 years 2

England policy update C4SLs are now referenced in national planning policy guidance Encouraging sector to develop C4SLs for further substances Capital allowance for announced for remediation of contaminated sites (for local authorities) What else is needed? 3

State of Contaminated Land Report Design and deliver a survey of all Local Authorities in England & Wales Simultaneous survey for Local Authorities and the wider contaminated land sector to assess the impact of the revised Statutory Guidance Review, quality assurance and analysis of the responses Provide a finalised State of Contaminated Land draft survey for the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales to use 4

Response Rates & Initial Observations Response 61% Local Authority response rate 254 Stakeholder responses for the impact survey Initial observations: Good understanding of revised Statutory Guidance Guidance provides greater clarity and has improved decision making Funding reduction has impacted Part 2A People would use the National Expert Panel for help with category 2/3 boundary determinations Blight is an issue 5

Next steps The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales will use the State of Contaminated Land output to produce a State of Contaminated Land Report 2000 – 2013 Defra will use the information to assist in responding to the Red Tape Challenge review –Have the problems identified in the 2011 Impact Assessment been addressed, and the desired benefits realised? –Do further steps, statutory or otherwise, need to be taken? 6

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