Lancashire Action

Contaminated Land and Fly-tipping

Local authorities have a responsibility to deal with contaminated land. This includes the remediation of any contaminated land, and not just that which has been targeted for development. Specifically, the aims for Lancashire are:

• Reclaim 600 ha of Lancashire’s derelict underused and neglected land
• A target has been set in Lancashire that at least 70% of new developments have to take place on previously developed land. This is 10% higher than national the target set by the government.
• Develop and maintain a register of contaminated land sites.

In order to tackle the region’s derelict land problem, Lancashire County Council have set up a project called REMADE in partnership with the North West Development Agency.

REMADE stands for REclamation and MAnagement of DErelict land.

• REMADE’s target is to reclaim 25% of Lancashire’s derelict land by 2010.
• This means 600 hectares of derelict, under-used and neglected land which has been left spoilt by previous development, will be cleaned up and turned into quality public spaces for people to enjoy.
• Put sites to positive uses including landscaped open space, footpaths, sports facilities and play areas.

You can find out more about what REMADE are doing by clicking on the link of the same name.

Newlands is a programme developed by the North West Development Agency and the Forestry Commission to reclaim brownfield land for community woodland uses in support of regeneration and economic growth. The programme has initially been allocated £10 million for a 3 year period (2002-2005). This first phase aims to reclaim 435 hectares of brownfield land in the Mersey Belt area . A further 5 year bid of £19.8 million is being considered, which will lead to a second phase of regeneration covering the Lancashire area.

The Lancashire Fly-tipping Forum is funded by the Environment Agency, it brings together all parties with responsibility in solving the problem of fly-tipping. For more information visit: www.saferlancashire.co.uk/neighbourhood/flytipping.

Air Quality

Under the Local Air Quality Management Agreement (LAQM), local authorities are required to achieve, or work towards achieving regulation of the key air pollutants. Where they are likely to fall short of meeting the specific requirements, they must declare this, and set out plans to resolve the problem.

A major priority in Lancashire is reducing the levels of pollution from transport, specifically Nitrogen dioxide. This includes encourraging the use of alternative ‘cleaner fuels’, and promoting public transport to reduce urban conjecstion and emissions. The LCC Transport Plan is addressing these issues, and is promoting responsible car use and maintenance to minimise emissions.

There is also action across Lancashire to ensure that emissions from industrial processes do not have negative impacts on health.

Lancashire Business Environment Association, and Envirolink provide advice to local businesses to help them achieve compliance with emission standards, and also provide advice on new, cleaner technologies.

Water Quality

The Council is aiming to work with water companies to ensure clean, safe, affordable water to all properties in the county. This includes working to reduce the lead content of drinking water, and ensuring vulnerable households have access to water for essential use.

Environmental Equity

Access to the countryside in Lancashire is improving with the implementation of the Countryside Rights of Way Act. Lancashire now has a network of 3,716 miles of public rights of way.

In additon to the public rights of way act, the aim is to ensure that there is at least one 20 hectare area of natural greenspace within 2km of people’s homes, by developing opportunities for the creation of parks and open spaces.

National strategies on fuel poverty will be implemented in Lancashire with the aim to eradicate fuel poverty in social housing by 2010.

The Lancashire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (LEEAC) is involved in providing free and impartial advice on all aspects of energy efficiency. LEEAC works with schools and community groups giving presentations on how to save energy, and what types of grants are available, and also runs training courses.