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Historical land use enquiries
Public awareness of contaminated land and its potential effect upon valuation of land is increasing. It follows that developers and conveyancing solicitors are concerned to make the necessary enquiries to local authorities over land in which they have an interest. Equally land or property owners may seek information on the sites they occupy, as the presence of significant contamination may affect the land value.

Spelthorne's procedures in the provision of information aims to provide a framework in which enquiries will be answered allowing this authority to discharge its duties under the Environmental Information Regulations.

Making an enquiry

Historical land use enquiries come to the Council in one of two forms:

  • direct to land charges as a land search made under the Local Authority Land Charges (question 3.12 CON29) specifically referring to the designation of land as contaminated under Part IIA.
       where the enquiry is an additional search the enquirer will be notified that a separate
       procedure exists and asked to contact Environmental Health Services directly.

  • to individual departments. To ensure a comprehensive co-ordinated response such enquiries will be answered on a corporate basis through the procedure administered by Environmental Health Services.
For an enquiry to be processed, the enquiry must consist of:
  • a written request by the enquirer detailing the specific information required.
  • a location map outlining the boundary of the land in question and any buffer zone required
A fee of £115.50 for a domestic and £231.50 for a commercial search will also be required (cheques made payable to Spelthorne Borough Council). Simpler enquiries may be charged at an hourly rate. Please contact Pollution Control for further information.

A charge is not applicable in the case of a planning enquiry. In the absence of any of the above, the enquiry shall be returned or held until the missing details are received for a period of 28 days. After this time any cheque held shall be returned to the enquirer. Under no circumstances will verbal enquiries be answered.

Once all details have been received, the Pollution Control Section has 20 days to make a reply to the enquiry. The response for a full search should contain the following information:

  • reference to the historical maps examined and a brief outline of the contents of these maps;  
  • a map will be included which shows the position of the site to which the enquiry relates and those areas of land which have been identified as having historical usage;
  • details of any information held on planning, environmental health, building control and engineers files;
  • details of any information supplied by the Environment Agency.
Should enquirers wish to view documents or meet with an officer to discuss the content of documents, they should contact Environmental Health Services for an appointment. Any photocopies of documents supplied to the enquirer are to be charged in line with the Council's policy.Note :

Certain documents are not available to be viewed by the public such as consultants reports and other documentation deemed confidential. Such information will not be made available to enquirers without the permission of those who commissioned the document.