Special sites
What are special sites?
Special sites are a particular type of contaminated land. The Statutory Guidance: Edition 2, as produced by the Scottish Government, gives more information on the designation of special sites.
Special sites aren’t necessarily the most contaminated land. Once a site is designated as a special site, it falls under SEPA’s control. This is mainly because of our involvement under other regulatory regimes and areas of expertise.
Key responsibilities
Local authorities are responsible for designating contaminated land as special sites.
Once a special site is designated, SEPA becomes the enforcing authority. Local authorities are the enforcing authority for all other contaminated land.
Under Part IIA, SEPA is obligated to maintain a public register of special sites.
Register of special sites
The locations and descriptions of sites designated as special sites to date are listed below. For more information on these special sites, please contact SEPA.
Whitelees Road, Lanark
Date of publication to register: Wednesday 2 November 2011
Grid reference: NS 90004 43551
Description: The site is approximately 2.2 hectares in size.
On 4 October 2011, SEPA received notification from South Lanarkshire Council of the designation of a special site on land the council has identified as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. On 2 November 2011, SEPA responded to South Lanarkshire Council stating that it agrees with the designation.
The Former Oil Refinery, Old Kilpatrick
Date of publication to register: Monday 17 July 2006
Grid reference: NS 470 718
Description: The site is currently vacant/derelict but was formerly a petroleum processing site. It is 16 hectares in size and is jointly regulated by West Dunbartonshire Council and SEPA.
In November 2004, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) received notification from West Dunbartonshire Council of a designation of a special site on land the Council had previously identified as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
SEPA was not in full agreement with the designation and in December 2004 the case was referred to the Scottish Executive for determination. On 14 July 2006, the Scottish Executive notified both West Dunbartonshire Council and SEPA that it has decided not to uphold the original special site designation for the whole site, however, part of the site has been determined to be a special site. The designation of the land as a special site therefore takes effect and SEPA is now the enforcing authority for Part IIA at part of the site.
Site of Pelikan Hardcopy Scotland Ltd, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 4AW
Date of publication to register: Monday 24 October 2005
Grid reference: 372830 850450
Description: The site is 4.4 hectares in size and is currently occupied by an operational manufacturing site at which a Part A PPC installation, also regulated by SEPA, operates.
On 21 October 2005, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) received notification that Aberdeenshire Council had decided to designate as a special site, land the Council had previously identified as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. SEPA can confirm it has notified the Council that it agrees with the designation. The designation of the land: the site of Pelikan Hardcopy Scotland Ltd, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, as a special site therefore takes effect, and SEPA is now the enforcing authority for Part IIA at the site.