Contaminated Land Specialist

Sharper Consulting Services is working with our client in Derbyshire to provide specialist contaminated land advice and technical support to the Council, primarily through desk-based assessment, report review and planning consultation, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, guidance and best practice. The role will support planning decision-making, discharge of conditions, and (where required) contaminated land duties under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The post is designed to be predominantly remote, with site attendance required only on an exception basis.

Key Responsibilities:

Contaminated Land – Planning & Development

· Act as a statutory consultee to Planning, providing professional advice on land affected by contamination.

· Review and assess contaminated land reports including:

· Phase I Desk Studies

· Phase II Site Investigations

· Remediation Strategies

· Verification / Validation Reports

· Assess pollutant linkages and conceptual site models (CSMs) in line with CLR
11, NPPF, PPG and relevant British Standards.

· Recommend appropriate planning conditions, informatives, or refusal where risks cannot be satisfactorily mitigated.

· Support the discharge of contaminated land planning conditions.

Part IIA (where applicable)

· Provide technical input to contaminated land identification, prioritisation and risk assessment under Part IIA of the EPA 1990.

· Review historic land use data, environmental datasets and previous investigation reports.

· Assist with strategy development, inspection programmes and technical decision-making.

· Liaise with internal services and external regulators (e.g. Environment Agency) as required.

Technical & Advisory

· Provide written technical advice to planning officers, developers and consultants.

· Review and comment on third-party geo-environmental and geotechnical reports.

· Advise on appropriate remediation options and risk management measures.

· Contribute to contaminated land strategies, procedures and guidance notes.

Working Arrangements

· Deliver the majority of work remotely, using council systems, GIS and digital records.

· Attend site visits, meetings or inspections only where necessary, and by prior agreement.

· Participate in virtual meetings with planning, environmental protection and external stakeholders.

Knowledge,

Skills & Experience:

Essential

· Substantial experience in contaminated land within a UK local authority or consultancy environment.

· Strong working knowledge of:

· Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

· NPPF, Planning Practice Guidance

· CLR
11 and risk assessment frameworks

· Proven experience reviewing contaminated land reports and advising on planning applications.

· Ability to produce clear, defensible written technical advice.

· Experience working independently and managing a remote workload.

Desirable

· Experience contributing to or leading contaminated land strategies.

· Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) knowledge.

· GIS experience relating to contaminated land datasets.

· Professional membership (e.g. CIEH, RSPH, IES, CIWEM).

Qualifications

· Degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Public Health, or related discipline.

· Relevant postgraduate qualification or specialist training is desirable