Roles and responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities
Environment Agency
Specifically regarding PFAS chemicals, the Environment Agency’s role includes:
- ensuring compliance with legislative requirements (where the Environment Agency is the competent authority)
- monitoring and advising on the state of the environment
- providing technical advice to Government to support the development of environmental policy
- promoting scientific research in support of these roles
- collaborating with others to generate evidence and sharing our evidence with partners who play a role in managing risks from chemicals
Cherwell District Council
Cherwell District Council is responsible for:
- Determining planning applications.
- Ensuring that appropriate land contamination assessments are carried out as part of the planning process where required.
- Securing investigation, remediation and verification works through planning conditions where necessary.
- Providing information to residents and coordinating communications with relevant organisations.
- Environmental Health functions within the district.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
UKHSA is the government body responsible for providing advice on public health matters.
Its role includes:
- Assessing potential impacts on human health.
- Reviewing scientific evidence relating to PFAS.
- Providing public health advice to local authorities and other organisations where appropriate.
Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)
The Drinking Water Inspectorate regulates drinking water quality in England.
Its role includes:
- Setting and enforcing drinking water standards.
- Overseeing the quality of public water supplies.
- Ensuring water companies meet regulatory requirements.
Developer/landowner
Developers and/or landowners, in this case, Dorchester Living, carry out investigations in support of existing and proposed development at Heyford Park.
Its role includes:
- Carrying out site investigations.
- Assessing potential contamination risks associated with development proposals.
- Preparing technical information to support planning applications.
- Developing any necessary remediation strategies required through the planning process.
Water Companies
Water companies, in this case, Thames Water, is responsible for providing and monitoring public drinking water supplies in the area. The company undertakes routine monitoring of drinking water and is required to comply with standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.