Who decides if land is contaminated

Your land could be investigated for a number of reasons, including when:

• land is sold, let, used or otherwise transferred
• land is proposed for development
• local councils inspect land in their area
• an application is made for an environmental permit or other licence
• land is polluted

Your local council will decide who's responsible if the land is contaminated - it will also tell:

• the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• the owner of the land
• any occupiers of the land
• any person who appears to be responsible for the clean-up (known as an appropriate person)

The Environment Agency has more information about the contaminated land exposure assessment (CLEA) tool.