§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with(a) the European Commission, (b) the Environment Agency, (c) local authorities, (d) industry and (e) others on building developments on former landfill sites; and if she will make a statement. [65961]
§ Mr. McNultyI have been asked to reply.
I have had no such recent discussions on the subject of building on former landfill sites but officials are in regular contact with these organisations.
The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions published planning guidance that included building on former landfill sites in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 14 "Development on unstable land" Annex 2 "Subsidence and planning" and in the Consultation document on draft planning technical advice on land affected by contamination in February 2002.
In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently revising Part C "Site preparation and resistance to moisture" of the Building Regulations 2000, which includes the precautions to be taken to avoid danger to health and safety caused by substances found on or in the ground to be covered by the building.