Methodologies & Limitations: Contaminated Land Liability 

The contaminated land section of Groundsures residential reports is designed for property professionals to satisfy their requirements under the Law Society Practice Note on Contaminated Land. 

The report is a preliminary desktop assessment of possible contamination risks using a wide range of sources and data. A full list of the data considered in this assessment can be found in the report under the Contaminated Land section of the ‘Datasets searched’ page. 

The primary purpose of the contaminated land section is to identify the risk of the property being designated as 'Contaminated Land' as defined by Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Contaminated Land result will either be Passed or Action Required. If Action Required is identified it does not necessarily mean that the site is unsuitable for purchase, but only that further assessment of the risk associated with the site is required, the details of which are provided in the ‘Overview of findings and Recommendations’ sections of the report.

Further information on what we accept and do not accept to revise a report can be found here. 

Methodology

In assessing specific site risk, Groundsure reviews potential sources of current and historic land contamination identified in the report and the potential impact on the property as a residential dwelling. This assessment follows the principles of a source-pathway-receptor model. Further information is available here. 

Our methodology will vary from time to time to reflect market risk understanding and legislative changes.

Limitations of the assessment

Groundsures residential reports have been prepared for a site which is in residential use with no (re)development planned. Criteria for remediation for planning ((re)development) is more demanding and is detailed in the National Policy Planning Framework (2023) and falls outside the scope of this report. The assessment is not appropriate for any end uses other than residential occupancy.

The assessment is based on the data presented in the report and does not include wider research, discussions with regulators or a site inspection. Hazards associated with activities that are not recorded are not included in the assessment. The report does not include 1:2,500 or 1:1,1250 scale maps except for additional information on selected features for tanks, energy features, petrol filling stations and garages, or where explicitly specified. This additional information covers the majority of the UK, but not all of it. 

The assessment is based on data that is regularly updated and it is recommended that a report be updated after a maximum of 6 months.