NICOLE WG Brownfields
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The NICOLE workshop in Akersloot in June 2007 'The Redevelopment of Sites - The Industrial Perspective' highlighted the benefits of the reuse of brownfield land for economic, social and environmental regeneration.

From this meeting it became apparent that some land holding organisations are cautious about selling contaminated land for redevelopment, in particular for sensitive end uses such as housing.


Liability Bounced Back

These organisations are sensitive to the possibility that, even with safeguards in place, it could be possible for a post-divestiture contamination problem to end up back with them. Unlike the sale of many assets there can be a continuing liability associated with the sale of land in line with the 'Polluter Pays' principle common in European environmental law. These organisations look to balance concerns over loss of control of legacy issues and risks of future problems, against maximising the potential sale value of otherwise redundant land assets returning them to beneficial use for the good of society.

Brownfield Working Group Objectives 

The Brownfield Working Group has the objective to ' develop a Framework Document for brownfield divestment in Europe, designed to inform industrial land holders of options to secure as clean an exit from liability as possible, and meet their liability management goals'

It is recognised that the overall objective will be a complex and challenging task. Therefore a research proposal has been developed with the objective of producing a Road Map detailing how the Framework Document for Brownfield Divestment could be structured and delivered. This will require a work on a number of fronts:
  • Review existing Sources of Information including Available Research Data

  • Understand the Definitions of 'Brownfield' and related terms, what status they have and how they are used in different European countries

  • Review legislative, policy and market Drivers for Brownfield Regeneration in Europe, and how they are working in practice

  • Identify and Review Environmental Liability Transfer Mechanisms in Europe, including statutory and contractual provisions, and insurances

  • Identify Country Specific Case Studies relating to Brownfield development and Environmental Liability Transfer to demonstrate how things work in practice

  • Compile country specific Information Sheets

The Brownfield Working Group is led by Ian Heasman of Taylor Wimpey and includes active members from industry and service provider sub-groups.

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