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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Contaminated land

​Contaminated land

Land is described as contaminated when it contains sufficient concentrations of harmful substances that may cause harm to humans, animals or the environment.

Causes of contaminated land

Examples of industrial and commercial operations which may result in contaminated land include:

  • old gas work sites
    • cyanides
    • phenols
    • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • scrapyards
    • metals
    • hydrocarbons
    • asbestos
  • petrol stations
    • petrol
    • diesel from leaking underground storage tanks
    • fuel additives
  • reclaimed land
    • domestic waste
    • hazardous waste
    • incinerator ash
  • landfill sites
    • heavy metals
    • leachate
    • methane
  • industrial plant waste storage or treatment facilities

Checking whether a building has been built on contaminated land

In the past, there have been many cases in Jersey where land has been used to legally or illegally dump hazardous waste and is then built on.

If you are buying a house it is strongly recommended you instruct your legal representative to carry out the necessary legal searches which should highlight potential problems such as contaminated land.

Defining contaminated land

For a site to meet the definition of contaminated land, a pollution linkage must be established. A pollution linkage consists of 3 parts:

  1. a source of contamination in on or under the ground
  2. a pathway by which the contaminant is causing significant harm or which presents a significant possibility of such harm being caused
  3. a type of receptor specified in the UK Regulations. Examples of receptors include:
    • people
    • eco-systems
    • property
    • water ie ground or surface or drinking waters

If the 3 components exist, the developer or suitable person should carry out a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of harm being caused, and the likely nature and extent of the harm caused if the predicted event actually occurred.

Investigation of land contamination

Developers who purchase land not knowing it is contaminated may find it becomes worthless and, depending on proposed usage, may have to clean it to an agreed standard set by the regulator(s). If clean up / remediation is insufficient, house sales may be delayed until the lending institutions are satisfied there is no future liability.

It is important therefore that those considering purchasing land satisfy themselves it is not contaminated. This can be done by instructing the services of a company or consultant who specialise in this type of work.

Available guidance

Planning guidance has been produced which must be followed if the development on contaminated land requires planning and building permission.

If planning permission is sought then you will need to liaise with the Department of the Environment. They will consult with:

  • Environmental Health Department
  • Environmental Services
  • Health and Safety Inspectorate
  • Department for Infrastructure (disposal of waste)

We also recommend the UK health protection code of practice for investigation of potentially contaminated land (BS 10175: 2001 ). This can be purchased online for approximately £200.

Development of contaminated land guidance
Owners, developers, agents and consultants: dealing with contaminated land guidance notes
Code of practice for investigation of potentially contaminated land UK (B​S 10175: 2001) on BSI online bookshop website

Jersey legislation concerning contaminated land

You can find links below to the legislation that is applicable to contaminated land in Jersey.

LegislationEnforced by
Statutory Nuisances (Jersey) Law 1999 on Jersey Law websiteHealth Protection
Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000 on Jersey Law websiteWater Resources - Department of the Environment
Building Byelaws (Jersey)1997 on Jersey Law websiteBuilding Control - Department of the Environment
Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 on Jersey Law websiteHealth and Safety Inspectorate
Waste Management (Jersey) Law 2005 on Jersey Law websiteEnvironment Section - Department of the Environment
Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005 on Jersey Law websiteDepartment for Infrastructure
Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 on Jersey Law websitePlanning Section - Department of the Environment
Water (Jersey) Law 1972 on Jersey Law websiteWater Resources - Department of the Environment

Guidelines for decommissioning of fuel storage tanks

Advice on permanent and temporary decommissioning and requirements is available from the Petroleum Licensing Authority.
Decommissioning fuel storage tanks guidelines​​

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