Darren Greatbatch, Specialist Advisory Manager, Amenity & Invasive Weeds, at Environment Controls.
Last reviewed on .
Table of Contents
- What’s actually contaminating the soil?
- What are our legal responsibilities?
- What are the disposal and transport requirements?
- How much will it cost and how long will it take?
- How can we minimise disruption and environmental impact?
- Who manages compliance and reporting?
- How do we avoid project delays?
- In summary
When construction companies are dealing with contaminated ground or brownfield redevelopment, they typically want clear, practical answers that balance regulatory requirements, cost, and project timelines. In this blog we outline the most common concerns that construction firms and developers have.
What’s actually contaminating the soil?
Before any remediation can begin, contractors need to know what contaminants are present, at what levels, and the associated risks.
They often ask for:
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- Soil and groundwater sampling reports.
- Classification of contaminants (e.g. hydrocarbons, heavy metals, asbestos, invasive plants such as Giant hogweed or Japanese knotweed).
- Human health and environmental risk assessments.
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What are our legal responsibilities?
Construction managers must ensure all works comply with:
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- Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Contaminated Land Regulations 2006
- Waste Management Licensing Regulations
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They often ask:
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- “Who is legally responsible – the landowner or the contractor?”
- “How do we prove we’ve handled the material correctly?”
- “Do we need permits for excavation, transport, or disposal?”
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What are the disposal and transport requirements?
This is one of the biggest concerns. Companies want to know:
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- Whether the soil is hazardous or non-hazardous waste.
- Which licensed landfill or treatment facilities can accept it.
- What documentation is required (e.g. waste transfer notes, consignment notes).
- Whether materials can be treated on-site or must be removed.
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How much will it cost and how long will it take?
Budget and programme impacts are critical. Common questions include:
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- “Can contaminated soil be reused or remediated on-site to save costs?”
- “What’s the timescale for clearance?”
- “Can remediation run alongside construction works?”
- ” Does my project need to be put on hold?”
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Once contamination is found on site, receiving expert advice enables a clear, phased remediation plan (with estimated volumes and disposal routes) to eb put in place – which is key to maintaining project momentum.
How can we minimise disruption and environmental impact?
Contractors are under increasing pressure to reduce environmental footprint.
They’ll ask:
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- “Are there sustainable remediation options?”
- “How do we prevent contaminant spread during excavation?”
- “What control measures are needed?”
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Who manages compliance and reporting?
Developers and principal contractors want reassurance that:
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- All remediation works are documented and signed off by a qualified environmental specialist.
- Validation certificates and completion reports are issued.
- They’ll have a full audit trail for planning and regulatory compliance.
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How do we avoid project delays?
Time is money. Construction firms often ask how remediation can be:
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- Planned alongside enabling works.
- Streamlined through early site assessments.
- Managed under a single environmental contract to reduce coordination risk.
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In Summary
Construction companies want confidence that contaminated ground removal will be:
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- Legally compliant
- Environmentally responsible
- Cost and time efficient
- Fully validated for future development
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Ready to discuss your project?
Get in touch with our environmental specialists for expert support with contaminated land and soil remediation.