Back
Get in Touch Menu

Developers’ contamination nightmare

04 March 2006

Problems associated with land contamination can cast a very long shadow for developers.

Under environmental protection law, there is an ongoing risk that they could be served with a remediation notice many years after finishing a development.

This is exactly what had happened in a case that went to the High Court not so long ago. Land that had previously been used as a landfill site was found to be contaminated 20 years after the developer had sold off the last plot.

The court ruled that a developer could be made liable if he knew about the original substance causing the contamination.

In this particular case, not surprisingly so long after the event, the local authority and the developer had real problems producing evidence to show whether the developer had had the relevant knowledge at the relevant time or not.

One of our commercial property solicitor comments: “This case was a good reminder of the need to keep proper documentary records, especially where there is a greater risk of potential contamination.”

As always, if you need commercial and pragmatic legal advice, we’re here to help so please get in touch.

  Contact us

Disclaimer: All legal information is correct at the time of publication but please be aware that laws may change over time. This article contains general legal information but should not be relied upon as legal advice. Please seek professional legal advice about your specific situation - contact us; we’d be delighted to help.
Contact
Alasdair Garbutt LLB (Hons)
Partner
View profile
Alasdair Garbutt
Related services
Share this article
Resources to help

Related articles

Updates to stamp duty land tax

Real estate

Following the spring budget earlier this year, there have been changes to stamp duty land tax. With a new government having since been elected, there could be more updates on…

Tess Ciocci LLB (Hons), LLM
Trainee solicitor

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Regulation: where are we at?

Real estate

Our real estate team provides an update regarding minimum energy efficiency standards, and where it leaves landlords and tenants. We previously reported on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations…

Emma Thompson LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor

Willans plays role in Winchcombe Arts and Community Hub

Real estate

Our real estate team has advised a local charity on its purchase of Winchcombe Methodist Church as part of their plan to open a brand-new arts, youth and community hub.…

Willans
Solicitors
Contact us