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Contaminated Land Capital Projects Funding Window Now Open | 7 Jul 2010

The 2nd bidding window for the contaminated land capital projects programme is now open, offering local authorities an opportunity to seek funding for intrusive investigation or remediation works.

Whilst the fund for 2010/11 has been cut from an allocated £17.5 million to £10 million, money is available for eligible projects and costed proposals should be submitted by 12th August 2010.

The Environment Agency, which has taken over the management of the scheme from Defra, aims to allocate money by the end of September 2010.

Minor changes have been made to the bidding forms but the eligibility criteria and prioritisation tool remain unchanged. One key change is that payments will now be made on completion of a project. Interim claims can be submitted once work is in process which can include forecast expenditure for up to three months. This mirrors the process by which other capital grant schemes are administered such as the flood defence grant scheme, so local authorities should be familiar with this process.

Lisa Crews, Policy Officer at Environmental Protection UK, said: "The obvious challenge is to ensure this grant money is used as efficiently as possible. It is hoped that this system will provide a robust way of managing the de-ring-fencing of these grants by helping to limit the effect of any project underspend on the overall available funds.

"Local authorities are encouraged to bid, further underspend of this grant risks sending the message that it can withstand further cuts."

The contaminated land capital projects programme was previously managed by Defra, with technical input from the Environment Agency. £9.5 million was allocated under the scheme in 2009/10.

ENDS

More: Lisa Crews, Policy Officer
Tel: 01273 878782
Email: lisa.crews@environmental-protection.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

  1. Environmental Protection UK is the environmental protection charity supported by pollution control professionals. We have been working for a cleaner, quieter, healthier world since 1898.
     
  2. Queries about the Programme, including those related to existing grants issued under Defra, should be directed to the Capital Projects Team – conlandgrants@environment-agency.gov.uk
     
  3. Further details and all relevant forms - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/121220.aspx