THE threat derelict land in Bury poses to potential land contamination will come under the spotlight at a major seminar.

And the event will also focus on impending government regulations which could cost companies "significant amounts of money."

The Business Environment Association (BEA) in Bury is staging the seminar which will highlight "The Environment Act 1995 and Contaminated Land."

In a message to local firms, Bury BEA manager Mr Mike Kinsella says: "New legislation about your company premises is about to happen and it could cost you significant amounts of money."

He added: "This seminar is very important to alert organisations to the potential risks and threats of impending regulations and aims to help people learn more about the implications for their organisations."

The Government is committed to forcing the clean-up of land in public and private ownership.

BEA stress: "Bury has a high level of derelict land and past industrial uses of sites present a real risk of land contamination. "This may not be apparent as it could be situated below the factory floor or surrounding land."

New regulations, say the BEA, which are being made under the Environmental Act 1995 are designed to ensure business premises are brought up to an acceptable standard - which could cost "significant amounts of money."

The polluter pays principle applies where the company which actually created the contamination will be responsible for its clean-up.

Commenting on the seminar, being held at the Starkies suite at Bury FC on Wednesday, September 16, Mr Kinsella said: "It is designed to inform organisations of this new legislation, to describe how it could affect you and look at what measures can be taken to mitigate costs."

Mr Kinsella will be one of the speakers and also making addresses will be Amanda Stubbs of Mason Solicitors, Jo Oliver, former Bury Council environment project officer, now working with Chorley Council, and Steve Birtwhistle, the Environment Agency's contaminated land team leader.

The seminar will begin at 3.45pm and finish with a buffet at 6.30pm.

Costs to BEA members is £24, £26 to Bolton Bury TEC/Chamber of Commerce members and £28 to non-members.

To make a booking and to get further details, telephone 763 4185.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.