Failed environmental search - what next?

Lulu4795

Hi, we have just received our environmental search back which the property we are trying to buy has 'failed'. The reason given is that there is a railway line close to the property. We are aware of the railway line but there is actually a house between the one we are buying and the railway line so we think that the risk is low however it has been flagged as potentially meaning there is contaminated land within a 25m radius of the property. Has anyone experienced anything similar with houses close to railway lines? Thanks

lindens

Could it be japanese knotweed as the problem? very common along railway lines

davidmcn

Just a normal railway line is hardly an environmental problem. Obviously there might be some types of railway land which have had nasty spillages etc on them, but unless there's something specific I wouldn't view it as a "fail".

princeofpounds

Failed for who? Your mortgage lender?

Lulu4795

No our solicitor just said it failed but didn't offer us any advice on what this means or next steps. The report itself says - A review of the available historical mapping has identified that the centre of the search is located on or within 25 metres of Railways shown on 1898 - 1977 edition maps. The data examined in this risk assessment indicates that there may be a potential source of contamination which may have significant implications for the property. In our opinion, there is the potential that the property could be described as "contaminated land" as defined by Part 2A of the EPA 1990.

In the detail of the report the 3 areas highlighted are all the railway line and are classified under 'potentially contaminative industrial uses - past land use'.

I believe that a larger area may have been owned by the railways in the past but this now has houses on it (though not the one we are buying - this is older).

ladyabouttown

If the railway is higher than your house then potential contamination could spread to your house. If it's lower than your house then any contamination would be minimal.

Annie1960

My sister had a similar situation some years ago when she bought a new house that had previously been on an old factory site. She had to get the soil tested, and it was all OK.

Ask you solicitor if you can get the soil tested to see if it is actually contaminated.

Still

We've also had notice that our property has failed the environmental search and the solicitor told us that they'd have to inform the lender.

I'm guessing they'll need to seek the valuers opinion on whether the original valuation is still applicable or not.

We were told it isn't uncommon but it still doesn't stop us from worrying.