Loading...
Check contaminated land register and historic landfill site locations for any UK property, including former industrial sites and Part 2A contaminated land designations.
Updated: periodically as local authorities update registers · Last checked by Maplify: July 2026
This layer maps over 21,000 historic landfill sites across England containing household and industrial waste, alongside recorded contaminated land arising from former industrial use — gas works, factories, chemical plants and steelworks — and previously developed brownfield land with potential unknown contamination.
Contamination risk generally comes from three sources: historic landfill (with landfill gas and leachate risks), former industrial land (heavy metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos), and general brownfield made ground.
Purchasing contaminated land transfers liability for remediation to the new owner under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act, making this one of the more financially significant checks for a former industrial or landfill site. Buyers and developers check this layer to identify contamination risk before committing to a purchase.
For development sites, contamination status shapes the required site investigation, remediation strategy and overall project cost — sometimes running into hundreds of thousands of pounds for complex sites.
Historic landfill site
Former waste disposal site — landfill gas and leachate risks may apply.
Former industrial land
Gas works, factories, chemical plants — heavy metal, hydrocarbon or asbestos risk.
Brownfield site
Previously developed land with potential unknown contamination from past uses.
Professional assessment follows structured phases from desk study through to remediation, summarised below.
Phase 1 Desk Study · £2,000 - £5,000
Historical map review, site walkover, environmental data search and preliminary risk assessment.
Phase 2 Site Investigation · £10,000 - £50,000
Trial pits and boreholes, soil and groundwater sampling, chemical analysis and quantitative risk assessment.
Phase 3 Remediation · £50,000+
Contaminated soil removal, groundwater treatment, gas protection and validation reporting.
Planning applications on land with a history of contamination typically require at least a Phase 1 Desk Study, escalating to Phase 2 and 3 where risk is confirmed.
Commission a Phase 1 Desk Study before purchasing land with a history of industrial or landfill use.
Escalate to a Phase 2 Site Investigation if the desk study identifies plausible contamination pathways.
Budget for remediation costs where contamination is confirmed, which can reach £50,000 or more.
Confirm Part 2A liability position with a solicitor before completing a purchase.
Check the Coal Mining Risk and Radon Risk layers for the same site for the fuller ground risk picture.
This is general guidance, not professional or legal advice — confirm specifics with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Property Buyers
Screen for contamination risk before purchasing land with an industrial history.
Property Developers
Scope remediation budgets and Phase 1–3 investigation requirements.
Environmental Consultants
Prepare desk studies and site investigation strategies.
Solicitors
Advise on Part 2A liability during conveyancing due diligence.
Contamination checks are commonly run alongside these related layers.
How do I check if a site is contaminated land?
Search the site on Maplify and enable the Historic Landfill and Contaminated Land layers to see recorded former landfill and industrial sites nearby.
What is a Phase 1 Desk Study?
A Phase 1 Desk Study reviews historical maps, conducts a site walkover and searches environmental data to produce a preliminary contamination risk assessment, typically costing £2,000–£5,000.
Who is liable for contaminated land remediation?
Part 2A establishes a liability hierarchy: original polluters (Class A) are liable first; if none can be found, liability falls to current owners and occupiers (Class B).
Does buying contaminated land transfer liability to me?
Yes, potentially. Purchasing contaminated land can transfer Part 2A liability to the new owner, which is why environmental searches and a Phase 1 desk study are recommended before buying land with a history of industrial use.
How much does contaminated land remediation cost?
Costs vary widely — Phase 2 site investigation typically costs £10,000–£50,000, and Phase 3 remediation can exceed £50,000 depending on contamination complexity.
Access historic landfill sites and contamination risk data instantly.
| Provider | Environment Agency / Local Authorities |
| Geometry type | Polygon |
| Coverage | England |
| Update schedule | Periodic, as registers are updated |
| Reference date | July 2026 |
| Licence | Open Government Licence v3.0 |
