Contaminated land

We have a number of responsibilities with respect to contaminated land and ensuring that such land is made safe. It is estimated that up to one third of the soils in the city contain fill materials or have some form of chemical contamination.  This is mainly as a result of the city’s industrial past.

Engineering works, galvanisers and scrap yards are all examples of industrial uses that generate heavy metal contaminants such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and chromium. Numerous foundries and metal works have produced waste in the form of slag, ash, foundry sand and clinker. The excavation of clay, sand and coal in certain parts of the city had left voids empty space which have typically been filled with domestic waste.

Contaminated land is a major concern for Wolverhampton because of the problems it poses for regeneration, risks to public health and the environment.

The Local Authority regulates contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by Section 57 of the Environment Act 1995). Contaminated land is defined under 78A (2) this Act as “any land which appears to the Local Authority in whose area it is situated to be in such condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that:

• significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or
• pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused.”

Contact details

If you require further information from the Contaminated Land Team, you can contact us by using our online contact form or

e-mail:  environmental.protection@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01902 551155
Fax: 01902 554329
Minicom: 01902 555554

Or write to:

Wolverhampton City Council
Regeneration and Environment
Environmental Protection
Civic Centre
St Peter’s Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1DA