---
title: Environmental clauses
description: Example clauses designed to be used with Groundsures environmental searches
---
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3. [Environmental](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/clauses?hsLang=en#environmental)
April 22, 2026
# Environmental clauses
### Contents
[Contaminated land - residential](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Contaminated-Land_residential)
[Contaminated land - commercial](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Contaminated-land-commercial)
[Flooding](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Flooding)
[ClimateIndex](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Climate-Index)
[Ground stability](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Ground-stability)
[Radon](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Radon)
[Energy](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Energy)
[Transportation](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Transportation)
[Planning constraints](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Planning-constraints)
[Planning applications](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Planning-applications)
[Non-coal mining](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Non-coal-mining)
[Coal / CON29M](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Coal-CON29M)
[Action Alert](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/environmental-clauses#Action-Alert)
**Avista terminology update (front page only):** Results are now grouped as *Priority Findings*, *Advisory Findings* and *Passed Results,* replacing the previous categories *(Key results, For information and Also searched).*
**Summary pages (no change):** Standard terminology still applies (e.g. *Identified / Not identified*), with our amber or green design.
**Note:** This difference is specific to Avista
### Contaminated land
#### Residential
**Passed:** The property has passed Groundsures Contaminated Land assessment as no significant concerns have been identified as a result of the contaminated land searches. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Passed (with features identified):** The property has GroundsuresContaminated Land Liability assessment, although some potential contamination risks have been identified, and should be considered if the property is to be (re)developed. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Action Required:** The property has not passed Groundsures Contaminated Land Liability assessment due to the presence of potentially contaminative land uses. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
#### Commercial
**Acceptable risk (Low, Low to Moderate):** Groundsure considers there to be an acceptable level of risk from contaminated land liabilities.We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Acceptable risk (Moderate):** Groundsure considers there to be an acceptable level of risk from contaminated land liabilities. However, some potentially contaminative land uses have been identified. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Action Required (Moderate-High, High):** Groundsure considers there to be a risk of potentially significant contamination at or in the vicinity of the site. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### Flooding
**Negligible/Low/Low-Moderate:** No significant concerns have been identified as a result of the flood risk searches. The property’s overall risk assessment is \[result\]. The search considers the risk from river, coastal, groundwater and surface water flooding as well as historic flood events, flood defences and flood storage areas. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Moderate/Moderate-High/High:** An elevated level of flood risk has been identified. The property and area within the site outline is at risk from one or more kinds of flooding. The property’s overall risk assessment is \[result\]. The search considers the risk from river, coastal, groundwater and surface water flooding as well as historic flood events, flood defences and flood storage areas. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### ClimateIndex
**[Passed (A&B):](https://groundsure-9336579.hs-sites.com/climateindex-clause-1-a-b-ratings?hsLang=en)** The property has passed the climate search.
**[Passed ( C ):](https://groundsure-9336579.hs-sites.com/climateindex-clause-2-c-ratings?hsLang=en)** The property has passed the climate search, although some minor issues have been identified. Unless advised otherwise in the search results, no further action is required.
**[Further Action (D, E, F):](https://groundsure-9336579.hs-sites.com/climateindex-clause-3-d-e-f-ratings?hsLang=en)** The property did not pass the climate search. The property has a \[moderate (D) / significant (E) / severe or existential (F) risk due to \[insert risks\]. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### Ground stability
**Not identified:** No significant concerns have been identified as a result of the ground stability searches. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** The property is assessed to have potential for natural or non-natural ground subsidence. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Radon**
**Not identified:** The property is not in a radon affected area. Local levels of radon are considered normal. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** The property is in a radon affected area, meaning there is an increased risk that properties will contain elevated levels of radon. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Energy**
**Not identified:** The property is not located within 5km of energy installations. This includes a search of oil and gas sites, wind and solar installations, power stations and major energy infrastructure. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** The property is located within 5km of energy installations. This could include oil and gas sites, wind and solar installations, power stations and major energy infrastructure. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Transportation**
**Not identified:** The property is not located within 5km of HS2 or within 250m of other railway schemes including Crossrail 1 and 2, active and historic railways, subway lines, DLR lines, subway or railway stations. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** The property is located within either 5km of HS2 or within 250m of other railway schemes including Crossrail 1 and 2, active and historic railways, subway lines, DLR lines, subway or railway stations. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Planning constraints**
**Not identified:** The property is not located within 50m of an environmental, visual or cultural protected area. Protected areas include nature reserves and other conservation areas. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** The property is located within 50m of an environmental, visual or cultural protected area. Protected areas include nature reserves and other conservation areas. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided. Further guidance from the local authority planning department on likey restrictions should be sought if any property development is proposed.
### **Planning applications**
**Not identified:** Using local authority planning information supplied and processed by Serac Tech dating back 7 years, Groundsure has not identified any planning applications in the vicinity of the property. We recommend that the limitations of this data are reviewed and independent enquiries are made with the local authority. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Identified:** Using local authority planning information supplied and processed by Serac Tech dating back 7 years, Groundsure has identified there are planning applications in the vicinity of the property. We recommend that the limitations of this data are reviewed and independent enquiries are made with the local authority. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Non-coal mining**
**Passed:** The property is considered to be acceptably free from non-coal mining-related risk and other risks relating to ground instability. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Passed with Guidance:** There is an identified potential for ground movement but it is unlikely to impact the transaction. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Action Required:** There is an identified mining risk and further action is recommended. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Coal / CON29M**
**Passed:** We consider the property to be acceptably free from coal mining related risk. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
**Potential risk:** We consider there to be a potential risk to the property from past coal mining activity. We are not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the search, and would recommend reading the search thoroughly and where necessary follow the recommendations provided.
### **Action Alert (1 - 5)**
1. Based on time, costs and complexity of proposed next steps relating to all sections of the report, the transaction won't be impacted.
2. Based on time, costs and complexity of proposed next steps relating to all sections of the report, some actions are recommended but these are unlikely to impact the transaction.
3. Based on time, costs and complexity of proposed next steps relating to all sections of the report, actions are recommended that may impact the transaction.
4. Based on time, costs and complexity of proposed next steps relating to all sections of the report, we consider there to be a potential delay to the transaction.
5. Based on time, costs and complexity of proposed next steps relating to all sections of the report, we consider there to be a likely delay to the transaction.
Please note the Action Alert was removed from reports on 27th June 2024.
- [Searches User Guide](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Introduction](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#introduction)
- [Contaminated Land](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#contaminated-land)
- [Flooding](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#flooding)
- [Radon](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#radon)
- [Energy](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#energy)
- [Transportation](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#transportation)
- [Planning](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#planning)
- [Ground stability](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#ground-stability)
- [Mining](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#mining)
- [Local information](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#local-information)
- [Agricultural](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#agricultural)
- [Climate change](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/searches-user-guide?hsLang=en#climate-change)
- [Order Platforms](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/order-platforms?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Insights platform (insights.groundsure.io)](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/order-platforms?hsLang=en#insights-platform-insights-groundsure-io)
- [Searches order platform (searches.groundsure.io)](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/order-platforms?hsLang=en#searches-order-platform-searches-groundsure-io)
- [Insight Reports User Guide](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Getting started](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#getting-started)
- [Enviro Insight](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#enviro-insight)
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- [Enviro + Geo Insight - GIS](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#enviro-geo-insight-gis)
- [Eco Insight](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#eco-insight)
- [Glossary](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#glossary)
- [Streetworks](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/insight-reports-user-guide?hsLang=en#streetworks)
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- [Climate\_Index](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/clauses?hsLang=en#climate_index)
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- [Environmental](https://knowledge.groundsure.com/clauses?hsLang=en#environmental)
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