The Environment Agency (EA) claim that the site is now in danger of contaminating groundwater and could also pollute the beach in the near future due to coastal erosion.
The law says that the EA must find out over the next month who is responsible for the site otherwise it will be liable to secure the funding needed to tackle the problem itself.
EA contaminated land specialist, Sue Goodman, said: “The current information we have shows that it would take between four and five years before the coastal erosion breaches the landfill. Under the legislation we need to find who is responsible for the contamination and get them to take action to deal with the problem.”
EA officers are now looking at “the best course of action” to treat the site and said treatment or removal of the contamination could be an option, while “doing nothing” might also be considered if it is found to be the safest way forward.
History
According to the EA, the site has a “complicated history” and it said its legal team is now working to find out who is responsible for the contamination.
In the meantime, contaminated land officers are working with Durham Heritage Coast Partnership to find out how fast the section of coastline is eroding.
The 35-hectare site has been used by numerous organisations and is thought to contain colliery spoil, rubble, concrete and domestic waste.
Officers are now looking at different options for remediating the site which could include the treatment or removal of the contamination, or to do nothing that is proven to be the best course of action.
Council
The contamination was originally investigated by Sunderland city council in winter 2008 when it formally classified the land as contaminated under the Environmental Protection Act, which sets out how contamination needs to be dealt with.
In November 2008 the council handed over responsibility for the site to the EA because the organisation is required to take over by law if there is a high risk of aquifiers being polluted by contaminants. The council identified this as a risk at Halliwell Banks and the EA took on the case.
Heritage coast officer, Niall Benson, said: “It is vital that the correct solution is found to this landfill legacy, a solution which will not only remove the immediate risk, but also any long term risks to our environment.
“The coast here is a very special place and with our partners' help we will secure safe and welcoming access for the local community and visitors alike, whilst protecting the wonderful wildlife found here,” he added.
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