Land quality inspections
We inspect the quality of land on sites which have historically been used for industrial activity such as gas works, colliery and coke works and landfills. There are approximately 6,500 of these sites in County Durham.
The inspection process
Inspections are completed in two phases:
- Phase 1 - desk top study involving reviewing historical maps and data for each site and undertaking a visual survey and risk assessment. Where an inspection is required under Phase 2, the most relevant areas to undertake the sampling are identified.
- Phase 2 - soil samples and where necessary, water samples are gathered to analyse the condition of the land. Air monitoring may also be undertaken.
Current inspections
We are not currently carrying out any inspections.
Completed inspections
2021 inspections
In 2021 we have inspected New Brancepeth Colliery. You can find out more information about the 2021 inspections, as well as the results by viewing our Land Quality Inspections Programme 2021 (PDF) [283KB] .
2020 inspections
In 2020 we have inspected the North Quarry Landfill. You can find out more information about the 2020 inspections, as well as the results by viewing our Land Quality Inspection Programme 2020 (PDF) [198KB] .
2018 inspections
In 2018 we have inspected Burnhope Colliery and Landfill. You can find out more information about the 2018 inspections, as well as the results by viewing our Land Quality Inspection Programme 2018 (PDF) [556KB] .
2017 inspections
In 2017 we inspected Shildon Lodge Colliery, Former Gas Works, Dipton and Lintz Colliery and Coke Works. You can find out more information about the 2017 inspections, as well as the results by viewing our Land Quality Inspections Programme 2017 (PDF) [952KB] .
2016 inspections
In 2016 we inspected Area P Blackhall Rocks Landfill, Blackhall Colliery Landfill, Broompark Hospital and Colliery, Dipton Collieries, Pelton Fell Colliery Landfill and Coke Works, Shincliffe Colliery and Coke Works and Thornley Landfill. You can find out more information about these inspections, as well as the results by viewing our Land Quality Inspections Programme 2016 (PDF) [1MB]
2015 inspections
In 2015 we inspected South Hetton Centre Landfill, Low Urpeth Colliery and Coke Works, Former Village Tip, Shildon, Welfare Park Landfill, South Hetton, Brancepeth Colliery and Coke Works, Former Gasworks, Crook, Rough Lea Colliery and Coke Works, Tudhoe Iron works and West Stanley Colliery and Coke Works. You can find the results of 2015 inspections by viewing our Land Quality Inspections Programme 2015 (PDF) [2MB] .
2014 inspections
In 2014, we inspected Brandon Colliery and Coke Works; Busty Bank Gasworks; Former Quarry, Coundon; Former South Pelaw Colliery and Coke Works; Former Tip, Stanley; Gainford Gasworks; Pelton Colliery (Newfield Pit) and Coke Works; Pontop South and Pontop Colliery and Coke Works, Tow Law Gasworks and Wolsingham Gasworks. You can find the results of these inspections, as well as further information, by viewing our Land Quality Inspections Programme 2014 (PDF) [1MB] .
2013 inspections
Inspections were carried out at Castle Eden Gasworks; Croxdale Colliery and Coke Works; Ferryhill Gasworks; Mortham Lane Gasworks; Oley Banks Gasworks; South Tanfield Colliery and Coke Works; Tudhoe Colliery and Coke Works; Waldridge Colliery and Coke Works; Willington Colliery and Coke Work and Woodhouse Colliery and Coke Works throughout 2013. The Land Quality Inspections Programme 2013 (PDF) [856KB] report provides further information about these inspections.
- Email landqualitysurvey@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 261 016