Communicating Understanding of Contaminated Land Risks
SNIFFER Code: UKLQ13
Year: 2010
Project Status: Complete
Short description: Contaminated land risks are difficult to communicate given people’s different perceptions, values and behaviours, and varying levels of scientific understanding. The original SNIFFER booklet, “Communicating Understanding of Contaminated Land Risks” (SNIFFER, 1999), provided valuable guidance and sequential steps for communicating risk to stakeholders and was targeted for use by local authorities and the environmental regulators.
Since 1999, the land development and communication landscapes have evolved significantly. The purpose of this research project was to produce an updated guidance that (1) addressed and incorporated this evolution and (2) was useful to a much wider audience.
This new guidance will aid clear communication at all stages of contaminated/brownfield site redevelopment projects.
There are two parts to the final guidance: a quick-reference booklet entitled SNIFFER risk communication booklet, and a comprehensive guidance manual entitled Communicating understanding of contaminated land risks. They address both the technical (e.g. varying levels of scientific training) and non-technical (e.g. public perception) barriers to science-based risk communication across a range of stakeholder groups, and the importance of effective communication in managing risk.
Used together, they will (1) help you develop an effective risk-communication strategy, and (2) give you the tools to engage with your stakeholders such that they understand the contamination issues and the importance and benefits of taking action – and you understand and address their needs and concerns.
The comprehensive guidance manual was developed for SNIFFER by ArupScotland and Ray Kemp Consulting Ltd. under SNIFFER project UKLQ13. SNIFFER and the technical advisory group developed the quick-reference booklet from this guidance manual.
A limited number of hard copies of the booklet are available by contacting info@sniffer.org.uk.
Keywords: amenity, best practice, communication tools, communities, contaminant, consult, contaminated land, derelict land, development, human health, human, health, leisure, legislation, literature review, local govern, pressure, public participation, recreation, remediation, strategy, stakeholder, UK
Lead Organisation: SNIFFER
Contact: SNIFFER (rebecca@sniffer.org.uk)
Funding Collaborators: CL:AIRE,Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA),Environment Agency (EA),North Ayrshire Council,Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA),Scottish Centre for Infection & Environmental Health (SCIEH),Scottish Environment Protecti
Contractor(s): Ove Arup & Partners Scotland Ltd (Edinburgh)
Links
| Title |
Link |
| Printed copies of the UKLQ13 Guidance are available from FWR. |
office@fwr.org.uk |
Cost of Research: 20k - 50k
Nature of Research: Attitudes and Perceptions
Geographical relavance: United Kingdom
Primary End User: Environmental Regulators
Secondary End-users: Policy makers, Conservation agencies, Local authorities, Landowners/Managers, Research Institutes, Consultancies, Associations, Educational Bodies, The Public