THOUSANDS of potentially contaminated landfill sites have been identified during a town survey.
Darlington Borough Council has carried out the survey to meet national requirements, but now must prioritise the sites which need a more detailed inspection.
A report by John Buxton, director of development and environment, to a meeting of the full council, said: "Landfill sites have been given first priority because these are regarded as a high-risk land use, due to the potential for problems with gas and leachate.
"Ninety-one have been risk assessed and, in the light of updated information, 79 remain on the priority list."
Mr Buxton said the original date for completing the survey had proved to be unrealistic because of the scale of the task and the sensitive nature of the project, so a five-year work programme has been set.
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