§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will investigate(a) the time taken by the Environment Agency to approve remedial strategies for the clean-up of brownfield sites and (b) the effect of delays upon the use of brownfield sites in preference to greenbelt land; and if she will make a statement. [119109]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 16 June 2003]: The Environment Agency has a formal role in relation to land determined as contaminated land and designated as a special site, under the provisions of Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In such cases, it may agree a remediation statement which sets out work which has been, is being, or will be carried out on particular land by the person responsible. This provides an alternative to the service of a remediation notice. Part 2A is designed to support Government policy on urban regeneration, both by encouraging voluntary action to deal with contamination, and by providing a framework for taking the necessary decisions about remediation. The Agency has no formal role outside this regime in approving proposals for dealing with land affected by contamination, other than when consulted in relation to planning applications on such land. It provides advice on a non-statutory basis in other cases, as resources allow. English Partnerships is currently developing a Brownfield Strategy for the Government, which is likely to address obstacles to brownfield regeneration, including contamination and regulatory issues, and the Environment Agency is actively assisting in its preparation.