The data represents the sites that have been officially determined as 'Contaminated Land' in Cornwall, under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Sites are only determined as Contaminated Land after an extensive site investigation and risk assessment process which provides evidence to show that there is the possibility of significant harm or pollution being caused. Contaminated land is defined legally as land where substances could cause:
significant harm to people or protected species
significant pollution of surface waters or groundwater.
This mapping layer does not cover sites which may be potentially contaminated. A contaminated land register is held and maintained as prescribed by part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The register is intended to act as a full and permanent record of the regulatory action taken by the enforcement authority in relation to the remediation of contaminated land. In addition to the Contaminated Land Register, there are formal 'Records of Determination' which can be found on Cornwall Councils website