Environmental assessments are required by local planning authorities for development applications on previously used or Brownfield sites. In cases where land or water pollution may be occurring, emergency action and assessment may also be required to protect human health and the environment.
Assessments are also useful for land acquisition and disposal where liabilities need to be understood.
Whatever the situation, we can help.
Click on the following headings to find out more:
- Geo-environmental phase 1 study
- Site investigation
- Regulator discussions
- Risk assessment, remedial advice and implementation
- Links to useful information
Geo-environmental phase 1 study
This is the first stage of investigation into any potentially contaminated land redevelopment, site transfer or pollution assessment.
The study involves a detailed desk based review of site history and past contaminating uses, site sensitivity and potential impacts from existing on-site and surrounding land use. Geology and mining records are reviewed together with other public database records and in most cases a site inspection is conducted.
Site investigation
Site based investigations are undertaken to evaluate signs of contamination often pre-highlighted in a phase 1 study. Investigations also provide geotechnical assessment to support building design as well as evidence of shallow ground conditions for land acquisition or disposal decisions.
Regulator discussions
Development proposals require approval from a number of regulators, for example, local planning authorities, the Environment Agency and Natural England. Complex development proposals and pollution incidents often require sustained periods of written, verbal and on-site liaison with these authorities to keep projects focused and on schedule.
We can represent clients in such negotiations. We aim to provide the necessary advice to achieve mutually satisfactory and cost-efficient solutions.
Risk assessment, remedial advice and implementation
Detailed risk assessments seek to measure sources of pollution and impacts on sensitive receptors such as local rivers, drinking water aquifers, biodiversity and humans. Where risks are found to be unacceptable, quantitative risk assessment is often employed to identify the best ground clean-up strategies and targets.
We offer detailed risk assessment services encompassing the selection and implementation of cost effective and reliable remedial action.
Useful links
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
www.defra.gov.uk
Environment Agency
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
National House Building Council
www.nhbc.co.uk
Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments
www.claire.co.uk
Brownfield Briefing
www.brownfieldbriefing.co.uk
Magic Interactive Maps
www.magic.gov.uk
UK Environmental Law Association
www.ukela.org
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