LANDOWNERS are being warned to beware of new rules on contaminated land.
From December the Environment Act will bring in financial penalties and the possibility of criminal proceedings against pollutors or owners of land where pollution has taken place.
Local authorities will have a statutory duty to identify contaminated land and ensure it is cleared up.
Although the responsibility for any clean-up rests with the firm guilty of the pollution, if they cannot be identified or are no longer in existence than it falls to the landowner.
Ian Liddle, of Farleys solicitors, Blackburn, said: "It is important to note that the Environment Act carries not only financial penalties but also criminal sanctions which can be enforced against directors of companies leading to imprisonment."
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