The contaminated land regime, set out in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, came into force in England in April 2000. Those in the UK aviation industry – in particular manufacturers and airports – should note the provisions of this regime which are summarised here by Aidan Thomson from BLG’s Environmental Group.
Whilst the enforcing authorities have been slow to use their new powers to date, it is widely acknowledged that this will not always be the case. Any company, including those in the aviation industry, that has polluted a property in the course of its activities or that currently owns or occupies historically contaminated property is at risk of liability under the new regime.
