Great job! Our consultants are an American based company, but obviously do have clients in the UK, so I will send him your card for his future reference. He'll be sure to use you for Property Inspection Reports.
Contaminated Land Surveys
We undertake Phase 1 and Phase 2 Contaminated Land Surveys, we advise and support on Phase 3 Remediation and Phase 4 verification, otherwise known as validation testing.
Contaminated Land Phase 1 Assessment
A phase 1 contaminated land assessment, also known as a preliminary risk assessment is a contaminated land report that identifies potential sources of ground contamination as well as assessing the risk of contamination at a site.
A contaminated land Phase 1 assessment is an important part of the site investigation process and helps ensure that land is developed safely and sustainably. The desktop study is the initial assessment that is required under current guidance from the Environment Agency issued in October 2020 (LCRM).
The Phase 1 Desktop report uses various sources of information including historical Ordnance Survey maps, geological records, groundwater vulnerability maps, flood maps, radon atlases, pollution incident records and regulatory records.
In addition, our consultancy can offer clients a site walkover helping to identify any visible evidence of contamination. We can also produce a preliminary Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to help identify potential pollutant linkages.
Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessments are most commonly required to support planning applications or comply with planning conditions. Our consultants provide clients reassurance that their due diligence is conducted in consideration of the environmental and planning conditions.
Environmental Data Collection – The process of collecting information on a site for a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment is called a Desk Study and generally involves analysing historical map data to identify past uses of the site and any past nearby contamination sources. It will also include analysing current maps to identify potential on and off-site sources of contamination.
Site Walkover – Ground conditions at and nearby the site are taken into account when assessing the potential impact of any identified contamination sources. A site walk-over enables a clearer identification of hazards that are present, that might not appear on maps or plans. The Environmental Desk Study and Site Walkover enable our Consultant to develop the Conceptual Site Model.
Conceptual Site Model – This is a written or diagrammatic explanation of the contamination sources, pathways and receptors present at a particular site. Sources being where contamination comes from (e.g. past industrial activity), pathways are the ways contamination travels through the environment such as percolating through soil or running through groundwater) to reach the receptors. These are the organisms ultimately affected by the contamination (e.g. future building occupiers or animals).
Greater In-depth Investigation – A Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment is the first stage of the risk assessment process, Its aim is to assess the level of risk present at a site and determine whether there is further need for investigation. Quite often there is not and a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment may conclude that no further testing is necessary as the contamination risk present is minimal. However, on some sites evidence is found to require additional investigation. Every site is different and our Consultants are well placed to determine the most suitable approach. Where our Phase 1 survey identifies unacceptable contamination risks, a Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation will be needed to quantify and assess the safety of the site.
Contaminated Land Phase 2 – 4 Assessment
As discussed, phase 1 is a desktop and if applicable, a site walkover. The other stages 2-4 are:
Phase 2: Intrusive Investigation
Phase 3: Remediation
Phase 4: Verification
Our consultants are experienced and knowledgeable to cover contaminated land surveys from preliminary investigation through intrusive investigation. Our consultants can support you at Remedial stage and on final site verification.
Our Contaminated Land Consultants are best placed to offer guidance and advice. If desired we can deal directly with your Architect, Planning Consultant or Council ensuring the correct information, we provide:
Where clients are buying a home, a commercial property, suspect land contamination and/or want to develop out a site or land our contaminated land services enable an understanding of potential contaminants and recommended remedial measures.
We offer a professional service to undertake contaminated land surveys and would be more than happy to assist you with your requirements, feel free to get in touch with one of our consultants and we will be able to advice further.
