The Environment Agency has published a policy document designed to clarify the Agency's remit on advising those voluntarily undertaking contaminated land remediation.

Provision of Agency Advice and Involvement with the Voluntary Remediation of Historically Contaminated Sites outlines circumstances where the Agency may provide advice to developers, consultants or landowners looking to undertake voluntary remediation.

Queries relating to the policy should be directed to Sheena Engineer, Land Contamination Manager t +44 (0)1454 624 400; any site-specific queries should be referred to the area office of the Environment Agency in which the site is located.

The second edition of the RICS Guidance Note Contamination and Environmental Matters - their implications for property professionals, advising chartered surveyors of their professional obligations regarding water air and land contamination, site investigation and risk assessment and methods of remediation, has recently been published by RICS Books.