COMPANIES and residents are invited to have their say on plans to clean up contaminated land across the borough.

Town hall bosses have published a new draft code called the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy, and need people's views on it.

Councillor Julie Higson, executive member for the environment, said: "New laws require local authorities to provide a system for the identification of contaminated land that is posing unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. From that the council must then ensure that the appropriate works are carried out to remove these risks.

"As a result, the onus is now on us to provide a written strategy detailing how we intend to inspect for the purpose of identifying contaminated land. By doing that everyone who is affected or involved will have a clear understanding of how the changes to the law impact on them." The draft strategy describes not only inspection arrangements and procedures, but also gives the council's reasons. Sites will be assessed and put into a priority list, with those seen to pose the greatest risk being dealt with first.

The draft document also includes details on the definition of contaminated land, who might be responsible for cleaning it up, procedures for doing that work, and the contents of the public register.

Comments on the strategy must be submitted by July 11, and should be sent to Chris Horth, Development and Environmental Services, Textile Hall, Manchester Road, Bury, BL9 0DG. For a copy, contact Stella Casserley or Colin Crompton on 253 5566.