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News

Contaminated Land in Wales: Risks, Responsibilities, and Remediation

Details
Category: News

Many parts of Wales are affected by land contamination, often related to historical industrial activity. The contaminants can include a wide range of hazardous substances, from ‘forever chemicals’ to heavy metals. The potential impacts of land contamination on communities in Wales has recently been put into the spotlight.

Further information:
Original article in full on the Welsh Parliament website

 

Allotments next to former chemicals plant in Thornton-Cleveleys (Lancs.) formally designated 'contaminated'

Details
Category: News

A vote taken by Wyre Council on 22 October 2026 designated the allotments in Occupation Road and Sandringham Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, as contaminated. This was part of an investigation into the release of chemicals associated with manufacturing operations at the former ICI works, now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd, based on part of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

Further information:

Original article from the LancsLive website by Amy Fenton, Senior Reporter

Related article: PFAS litigation in Europe by David Hart, K.C on Substack

OEP launches call for evidence seeking examples of regulatory and practical blockers delaying nature recovery measures in England

Details
Category: News

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has issued a call for evidence asking for examples of practical or regulatory barriers getting in the way of measures to protect and improve nature.

Professor Robbie McDonald, the OEP’s Chief Scientist, said: “We want to help identify practical opportunities for landowners and occupiers in England to go further and go faster for nature. We want to support regulators and government to focus on the outcomes sought for nature recovery, and to tackle the barriers that may be preventing or slowing action towards those goals.

“We are looking for examples of real or perceived regulatory and other blockers that people have experienced getting in the way of work to improve the environment across land, freshwater and coastal areas. 

“We will consider the impact they are having on conservation efforts, particularly linked to achievement of environmental targets such as the wildlife-rich habitat target and the 30 by 30 commitments.

“We will seek to prioritise them by which would have the most impact if addressed, and identify practical opportunities to address these barriers. Ultimately, we want to work with others to find solutions, so that any blockages can be unblocked.”

More information:

Briefing document (PDF, 124.18 KB)

Response template (Word document, 84.93 KB)

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