Under legislation, Castle Morpeth Borough Council is required to inspect land in its District for contamination. The Council's strategy lays out how the authority will take a rational, ordered and efficient approach to this inspection.
The Council's priorities in dealing with contaminated land are:
1. To protect human health
2. To protect controlled waters
3. To protect designated ecosystems
4. To prevent damage to property and designated historic sites
5. To prevent any further contamination of land
6. To encourage voluntary remediation
7. To encourage re-use of brownfield land
This list is presented in priority order and in all cases will have regard to significance and likelihood, as required by the regulations. A programme of inspection is to be undertaken, running from August 2001 to December 2012. An inspection programme based on population-density is proposed, with the largest towns being inspected first, followed by the smaller towns and villages. Priority will be given to inspecting land owned by the Council and land scheduled for development in the Council's Local Plan. Controlled waters and protected areas of the environment will be also be examined and a final prioritisation exercise undertaken to establish the order in which problem sites should be cleaned up.
Stythe gas (or black damp) is oxygen deficient air that may contain high levels of carbon dioxide. It is emitted from abandoned mine workings usually when there is a sudden and prolonged drop in atmospheric pressure.
Homes can be affected by the gas if they are situated over shallow mine workings or in close proximity to disused mine shafts or drifts.
Castle Morpeth Borough Council has a Stythe Liaison Committee consisting of Borough Councillors, Parish Councillors and local residents. The group meets to discuss issues of concern and raise local awareness on Stythe. We are also working with Newcastle University and the British Geological Survey to help research and build up information.
Contact Details:
Environmental Protection Unit
Pollution and Emergency Planning Coordination Team
Castle Morpeth Borough Council
Longhirst Hall
Longhirst
MORPETH
Northumberland
NE61 3LR
Telephone: 01670 535000
e-mail: firstcall@CastleMorpeth.gov.uk