Figure 1: Site classification process

Text description of figure

The figure shows a flowchart for local authorities checking information about sites and discussing the information with the site owners.

In the first step information about a site is received by a local authority. The local authority checks if the site is already on the register – if it is not, the site is noted on the register as ‘land-use information’ and flagged as being under investigation.

The next step is to decide if the information is about hazardous substances and possible adverse effects on the environment or people, or if the information is about the past of present use of the site.

If the information is about the past or present use of the site, the local authority officer will determine how accurate or sufficient the information is. If the land use cannot be verified as being on the HAIL or is incorrect, the site may be noted on the register as ‘error’. If the land use can be verified as being on the HAIL, this will be added to the site description and checked with the site owner.

If information about hazardous substances is available, the information is assessed, and a council officer prepares a report on the site, including a proposed category (either ‘land-use information’ or ‘contaminated land’). The site owner is notified and may provide additional information that can be added to the report. The report is then presented to a senior officer, and the category is assigned or the description updated. The site owner is offered an opportunity to object to the category. Should the site owner object, a final decision will be made by a senior officer, manager or committee. The category is then confirmed.