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Contaminated Land Planning Support

GeoEnvironmental Applications has many years of experience in providing specialist contaminated land planning support to architects and developers. Planners may require contaminated land assessments, even in localities which appear relatively unpolluted and undeveloped depending on the proposed land use. The complexity, extent and detail of the site investigation will vary from site to site and we will liaise with the planners to ensure that our site assessment will meet the planner’s requirements.
On sites that may have been contaminated by a previous use the minimum information that should be provided by a developer should be a Phase 1 Study (Desk Study, Site Reconnaissance, conceptual Site Model and preliminary qualitative risk assessment).
A Phase 1 study will include research into the sites previous land use and surrounding environment in order to develop a good understanding of the likely contamination present, who or what might be affected and how any contaminants may come into contact with sensitive receptors such as residents or water courses. If the risk assessment suggests that the site does not have any contaminant linkage we will agree with the planners that no further investigation is warranted.
When the Phase 1 Study risk assessment identifies potential contaminant linkages a Phase 2 Investigation (Intrusive Investigation) will be required by the planners.

The aim of a Phase 2 investigation is to provide factual information on what contaminants of concern (if any) are actually present on the site, their concentrations, where they are and what impacts they are having or could have through a change in land use. The exact design and requirements of the investigation will vary on a site specific basis. We will develop an appropriate sampling strategy based on the Environment Agency document CLR11 and liaise with the planners to ensure that the method, location and number of samples is acceptable. This information will be used to provide a detailed quantitative risk assessment that will identify if any chemicals are of significant concern and how likely it is that harm will be caused to one of the identified receptors. This may lead to the planners agreeing that the site appears to be free from a contamination risk and that no remediation is warranted, or, if a contamination linkage is present, further work to develop a remediation strategy will be required.
When it is obvious that the site will require a Phase 2 investigation, it may be more cost effective and quicker to provide the Local Planning Authority with a report which includes both Phase 1 & Phase 2 elements clearly identified. We will be able to help advise you on the best approach.
We can also assist in the material management when excess soils are required to be removed from site whether this requires a Material Management Plan under the Cl:aire Code of Practice or just samples to be analysed for waste acceptance criteria (WAC).