Extent of contaminated land in Scotland

SEPA’s report Dealing with land contamination in Scotland represents the first attempt to show the extent of contaminated land and potentially contaminated land in Scotland.

There is a significant amount of interest in land contamination from a variety of groups including local authorities, land developers, environmental consultants, academic institutions and the general public. The report, which was prepared by SEPA at the request of Scottish Ministers, details the progress made in implementing the contaminated land regulatory regime, commonly known as Part IIA, through which local authorities (and in some circumstances SEPA) effect remediation of land contamination that is posing unacceptable risk to health or the environment.

The formal identification of contaminated land through Part IIA represents just one mechanism for addressing risks from land contamination as a result of historical activities. The report also describes the important progress that has been made in dealing with the wider legacy of land contamination via the planning system and voluntary action.

The full version of the report can be found on our website, together with a summary version, at: www.sepa.org.uk/land/land_publications.aspx

Click here to find brief information about the special sites designated in Scotland, and containing details of the office location where the Public Register entry for each case may be viewed.