Definition: Land is legally "contaminated" if it causes, or has a significant possibility of causing, significant harm to people, property, or the environment (water, ecosystems).
Contaminated land in the UK is primarily regulated under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which mandates a risk-based approach to identify and remediate land posing unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. The law follows the "polluter pays" principle, prioritising liability for those who caused contamination, or current owners if the original polluter cannot be found

Key Aspects of UK Contaminated Land Law:
Regulatory Mechanism: Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by Section 57 of the Environment Act 1995) requires local authorities to inspect their areas and designate contaminated sites.
Liability Framework: The "appropriate person" (Class A - polluter) is liable for clean-up. If they cannot be found, liability defaults to the current landowner/occupier (Class B).
"Suitable for Use" Principle: Land is generally remediated based on its current use rather than its potential future use, which is handled separately through the planning system.
Remediation Notices: Authorities can serve notices demanding cleanup, with penalties for non-compliance.

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http://www.contaminatedland.co.uk/