Air Quality Authorisations, Park Home Licensing, Pollution & Nuisance Control (Domestic Premises Only), Contamination Land Enquiries, Pest and Dog Control, Public Health

Principal Environmental Health Officer - Phillip Sheard

Trainee Environmental Health Officer - Aileen Baker

Environmental Health Technician - Graeme Cooke

Environmental Health Technician - Lisa White

Contaminated Land Officer - Lucy Hawkings

Air Quality Technician - Anna Czerska

Service Plans

The section has two service plans that cover the scope of the work the team undertakes, some nuisance functions are also dealt with by the commercial team where commercial premises are involved. The plans will be updated annually and provide guidance about the current level of service and its limitations for the forthcoming year.

Air Quality Authorisations

A variety of businesses in the Borough are Authorised (licensed) by the section in order to minimise air pollution. These include car body repair workshops, incinerators, concrete crushing facilities, cement batching plants and petrol stations, for which pollution limits are set by law.

Park Home Licensing

We currently licence some 15 Permanent residential Mobile Home sites in the Borough, which accommodate a little over 1000 Park Homes in total. These sites are routinely inspected with respect to fire and safety standards, with a view to securing high standards for residents.

Information on Park Home Licensing Graeme Cooke

Pollution and Nuisance Control

Powers are available to deal with excessive smoke, dust, noise and odour pollution that might arise from domestic, commercial and industrial activities. The Division receives over 2000 enquiries a year relating to these issues, a quarter of which relate to noise pollution. Investigation of these complaints can result in formal action being instigated against persistent offenders, where compliance cannot be negotiated.

Nuisance from Building Sites and DIY Works

Bothered by noise leaflet

Contaminated Land Enquiries Lucy Hooper, Contaminated Land Officer

The regime for the regulation, identification and remediation of contaminated land came into force in April 2000. Contamination causing unacceptable risks to health or the environment will be dealt with, following consideration of the lands current and proposed use. Our Contaminated Land Strategy was adopted in June 2001 and initiated a 10-year inspection programme of the Borough, outlining how Runnymede will inspect the Borough, identify contaminated land and take action where appropriate. Currently, we are in the early stages of identifying potentially contaminated land sites and are beginning to investigate them to establish if they are statutory Contaminated Land sites which require remedial action.

This section also deals with contaminated land conveyancing enquiries from solicitors, as well as outlining advice for developers of land with contamination issues in line with our Planning department, regarding how to approach redevelopment of 'brown-field' (contaminated) sites.

Information in the Contaminated Land Pages also deals with contaminated land conveyancing enquiries from solicitors, as well as outlining advice for developers of land with contamination issues in line with our Planning department, regarding how to approach redevelopment of 'brown-field' (contaminated) sites.

Site Waste Management Plans

Since 2008 Site Waste Management Plans have been a requirement for construction sites over £300,000 in value, to reduce waste produced on sites and lower the amount of waste being sent to landfill. More information on how to comply with Regulations and avoid fines and / or prosecution can be found at Site Waste Management plans.

Public Health

Where property or land is identified as posing a health risk to the public due to the presence of pests and/or accumulations of refuse, the Health & Pollution Section will investigate and secure action.

Staff

These notes give only a brief overview of the complex and increasingly scientific work of the Environmental Protection Division.

The Staff comprises:-

(i) Environmental Health Officers - who have completed either a B.Sc, MSc or Diploma course in Environmental Health and in some cases hold additional post graduate qualifications, either in technical or managerial subjects or both.

(ii) Technicians - who have usually completed a B.Tec course and qualified as Environmental Health Technicians. Some specialise in particular subjects such as noise, information technology, food, health & safety, pests or licensing, have obtained additional qualifications and provide invaluable support to the department.

The division has access to a range of specialist monitoring equipment in order to assist them with their work.