With a national drive to redevelop brownfield land across the country, planners and developers are increasingly faced with sites that may have been contaminated through previous industrial, commercial or agricultural use. Even if operations on site have ceased, waste materials and residues can still be present within subsurface soils and groundwater, and can not only impact project development, but can cause harm to human health and the wider environment too.
In this article, Kathryn Mair, Report Manager at GeoSmart Information explores some of the risks associated with contaminated land, and explains the initial steps a developer needs to take in order to deal with such a site.
“Contamination may be present in subsurface soils and/or in the underlying groundwater at a site as a result of historic or current land use. Where development is proposed, the developer is responsible for ensuring the development is safe and suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.
As most will know, potentially contaminated land should always be appropriately investigated and assessed for a number of reasons – the most important of which is to protect human health. Construction workers and future site users may become exposed to contaminants through direct exposure, inhalation of dust or gases, or through the consumption of produce grown on site if identified contamination risks are not appropriately addressed.
From an environmental perspective, contaminate substances can also migrate away from the site and pollute underlying groundwater, neighbouring rivers, ponds and local environmentally sensitive areas, all of which can have a knock-on effect on human health.
Furthermore, substances may also be corrosive, and potentially explosive, which can indirectly impact users via damage to buildings.
So, who is responsible for assessing these risks? When it comes to dealing with contaminated land, the original polluter of the land is officially responsible for any liabilities relating to land contamination. However, as the pollution may have occurred decades earlier and potentially prior to legislation, the responsible party may never be found and it is therefore the new owner who will be responsible. Consequently, it is essential that any person undertaking a property purchase or development fully understands the risks and potential financial implications moving forwards.
EnviroSmart Phase 1
Contaminated Land Reports
Commissioning a desk-study report is the first step in assessing contamination, and with potentially contaminated sites posing an ever-more challenging risk, it pays to know that GeoSmart Information has been launched to transform the way property professionals manage the impact of future environmental risk.
Formerly known as Envirep, GeoSmart is a sister company of leading environmental consultancy, ESI. With extensive expertise in water, land and sustainable development, the GeoSmart team has brought together a suite of desk-study services that offer smarter analysis on both the suitability, and sustainability, of development schemes.
Our EnviroSmart Phase 1 Contaminated Land Reports in particular offer clear and pragmatic advice regarding the nature and potential significance of land quality hazards which may be present and are ideal for supporting planning applications.
Providing a range of assessment levels based on regulator requirements, the former use of the site, and the nature of the development proposal, EnviroSmart reports can be delivered from five working days and are available at a fixed price, starting at £445 (plus VAT).”
EnviroSmart Report Features:
- Well presented, clear, concise and conclusive
- ‘Traffic light’ risk rating for easy interpretation
- Each report includes a Preliminary Risk
Assessment in line with best practice and regulatory guidance:
– Environment Agency’s CLR11 guidance: Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination
– CIRIA C552: Contaminated Land Risk Assessment – A Guide to Good Practice
• Includes consultation with Local Authority
• Clear recommendations are given allowing you to move forward with your plans quickly
Benefits
- Produced by specialist consultancy team with over 15 years’ experience
- Our consultants have built a great working relationship with Local Authority Officers across the UK
- Reports are widely accepted in support of planning applications and insurance
- Low fixed price, great quality and fast delivery
- Premium turnaround options available
“Ultimately, a better understanding of the site means more suitable planning applications and a clearer identification of risks required by regulators, conveyancers and lenders,” concluded Kathryn.
GeoSmart Information delivers insight on environmental risk and suitability for property development. As our landscape and climate continually changes, we are the smarter choice for professionals who need to build and protect property in a sustainable way.
As a sister company of ESI, one of the UK’s leading environmental consultancies, our innovative range of desktop reports, data and services is built on a rich heritage of scientific analysis, which enables smarter, more informed decisions.
For more information, please visit www.geosmartinfo.co.uk , email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk , or call 01743 276 150.
GeoSmart Information
Tel: +44 1743 276 150
