What is salinity?

Salinity is a term used to describe a condition where there are high concentrations of salt in the soil. This condition can occur as a result of over watering which causes the water table (also referred to as the ground water) to rise and with it the natural salts in the soil.

During the summer months when the water table  recedes the salts are left behind creating salinity.

It should be noted that often the salts accumulate at the base of a plant’s root system creating a toxic growing environment. The salts accumulate at the base of the plants’ root systems because its the roots of the plants that draw the water to feed the plant. And it is the water that is carrying the salts. The plant’s root system only takes the water while the salts remain in the soil.

 

Why are old industrial sites or brownfield sites being developed for homes?

Many small or large industries have found it more economical to move away from city centres in the last 50 years.  In reality many of these industrial sites were originally sited on the outskirts of ubran areas but as cities have grown they have found themselves locked in by urban development.

This casues many problems for industry namely limited room for expansion and congestion resulting in increased transport costs. While some industry does remain within urban areas history has shown that more often than not  it makes more sense to relocate.

These types of sites are usually ripe for residential development as they are located amongst existing infrastructure such as public transport, shopping areas and road networks. Sometimes large scale warehouses remain which when converted to apartments can become prime real estate.

There is growing pressure from environmental groups  to reuse brownfield land for development, particularly for housing. The argument is ‘It is more sustainable to reuse brownfield sites (that have no current beneficial use) than to build on land that has never been built on’.

And there is a whole host of other political groups that have set up to stop the development of the countryside. As a result the government has set a target for 60% of new homes are to be built on ‘brownfield’ land.

 

Help I live on a Brownfield site. Is my home contaminated? Do I need soil tests?

A brownfield site is land that has previously been developed. Often a brownfield site has been previously developed with industry.

Often the term brownfield is confused with the term contaminated site.

Just because you live on a brownfield site do not assume your site is contaminated. Your property may have undergone the necessary environmental checks and cleaning procedures to allow residential or commercial development to occur.

Nevertheless approximately 10%  of all residential properties in the UK fail environmental screening.

But then again do not assume because your home is not on a brownfield site that it is not contaminated.

The United Kingdom was one of the earliest places to industrialise. Residential properties have therefore been developed on old factory and worskshop sites long before the word Brownfield was even invented.

If you are concerned about your property the Local Council is the first place to call. They are legally responsible to hold a register of all properties that MAY be affected by contamination.

If you are still concerned Toxic Land Check can provide a soil check service.

 

What to do if you have contaminated land and you are selling or renovating your home or business property

Testing for soil and groundwater contamination is becoming a common procedure during the UK property selling  and buying process as well as the buildings approval procedure.

Home owners wishing to sell or renovate their home are finding that they may have to undertake complex soil and groundwater investiagtions to allow the sale or development process to continue.

This requirement is due to  a regulation  that was introduced back in the last decade but is only beginning to be enforced by government now.  The regulation is Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The act states that the land owner is liable for any site contamination unless they can prove otherwise. The legislation also states that it is the Local Authority’s resposnibility to identify potentially contaiminated land.

The Local Authority is given power to force you to clean (remediate) your site at your cost. It is now becoming common for Council’s to require this clean up to occur when a property’s ownership or lease is changing or when an application for development is made.

Toxic Land Check (TLC) specialises in providing assessment and remediation solutions for homeowners and small to medium sized redevelopers.

We understand that you may not be familiar with this requirement and that a fast service may be required to allow your development to proceed on schedule.

If you are in this situation please make contact to discuss your requirements further.

Toxic  Land Check