Contaminated Land Assessment

Contaminated Land Assessment

Why do I need a Contaminated Land Assessment?

As pressure on the land and the drive for sustainability increases, developers and construction companies are increasingly choosing to redevelop contaminated land and Brownfield sites for domestic dwellings, retail outlets, offices and industrial units. A phased Contaminated Land Assessment and a Geo-environmental Investigation will be your first step in assessing land suitability.  

Many of these former industrial sites have been subjected to years of various practices, potentially resulting in environmental contamination, while other apparently clean locations may have been affected by random acts such as illegal dumping.

In the majority of cases where redevelopment of Brownfield or potentially contaminated land is proposed, the Local Authority Planning and Environmental Health Departments will place conditions on any planning consent for a Phase 1 Desk Study to be carried out, potentially leading to Phase 2 and 3 Intrusive Site Investigations.

In addition to this, a Contaminated Land Assessment is often requested prior to Brownfield land being bought or sold, as the presence of contamination can significantly affect the land value and may create liability issues. A brief outline of the work involved during each phase of investigation is given below.

The Phased Approach to Contaminated Land Assessment 

PHASE 1 – DESK STUDY: CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT

·   Walkover survey (assessment of current site conditions);

·   Historical mapping;

·   Geological and hydro-geological mapping;

·   Local Authority and Environment Agency information;

·   Coal Authority mining report, where applicable;

·   Previous investigation review, where available;

·   Desk Study Report comprising a conceptual model of any potential

    sources of contamination identified, and the associated risks.

PHASE 2 - INTRUSIVE CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT INVESTIGATION

·   Intrusive site investigation works based on Phase 1 findings and agreed objectives

    and scope;

·   Laboratory analysis of soils (Chemical and/or Geotechnical as required);

·   Groundwater analysis as required;

·   Factual and Interpretive Report including summary of ground conditions and

    interpretive environmental and geotechnical assessments;

·    Recommendations for further works and/or remedial works as required.

PHASE 3 – CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT REMEDIAL SPECIFICATION, MANAGEMENT AND VERIFICATION

·   Remedial Specification Report;

·   On-site supervision during remedial works;

·   Liaison with enforcement and regulatory authorities and provision of expertise;

·   Verification/Validation works comprising in-situ and ex-situ analysis

    and report confirming completion of remedial works to agreed specification.

This tiered approach to a Contaminated Land Assessment is considered the most comprehensive and cost effective method of determining site ground conditions and identifying potential risks to site end-users, groundwater and the redevelopment itself.

Bradley Environmental offers a comprehensive service in the field of Contaminated Land Assessment, Environmental and Geo-environmental Assessment, undertaking Phase 1, 2 and 3 investigations. These services can be purchased as an individual Contaminated Land Assessment or as a package. Quotations are tailored specifically to the client’s requirements and site characteristics.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way. We are more than happy to come and see you to discuss your requirements with absolutely no obligation or charge.

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