Assessing viability for development of brownfield land

Understanding site viability is the first step when considering developing a brownfield site.
Toxic pollution from waste materials, industrial processes and chemical or fuel storage can leave residues for many years in both the underlying soils and groundwater.

Any contamination that currently exists on the site must be dealt with following the proper procedures. Our experienced team have worked at board level within several consultancy and remediation practices and have advised many local authorities, house builders, landowners, solicitors, and property consultants at any early stage in the site acquisition process on potential liabilities and development constraints.

If the land you are proposing to build on was used for industry in the past, it could contain contaminants, including:

• Asbestos
• Lead
• Fuel such as diesel or petrol
• Other chemicals

There could be substantial punitive costs for the disposal of contaminated soils, if not identified and managed at an early stage in the development process. Other factors all need to be considered including air quality, noise, impact of the development on drainage and surface water drainage.

The investigation, assessment and remediation of contaminated land requires an understanding of many different specialist disciplines that allow for a comprehensive and pragmatic development to proceed. These disciplines include geology, hydrogeology, toxicology, risk assessment, soil mechanics and of course an appreciation of the limitations of our understanding of the science and empirical modelling behind the derivation of soil guideline values and risk based remedial targets.

Many brownfield sites are located in convenient positions, providing much of the infrastructure needed for new homes, such as transport and utilities. Brownfield sites with detailed remediation designs can provide excellent opportunities to deliver aspirational programme of regeneration to meet the demand for new housing, and provide social and genuinely affordable homes while creating sustainable and attractive neighbourhoods.”

More Information on Site Investigation Services.

What Is the Site Investigation Process?

Site investigations are carried out with a phased approach

• Phase 1 Desk Study
• Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation
• Phase 3 Post Site Investigations
• Phase 4 Site Investigations Report

Step 1  – Complete the Phase I Desk Study and site walkover.

A Phase 1 Desk Study is a preliminary risk assessment report for a development site, often required for planning application approval.
Ideally, a Desk Study should also be accompanied by a walk over a survey conducted by an experienced practitioner. By compiling available information in relation to a site’s environmental, geological, hydrogeological, hydrological and mining setting, a cost-effective and focussed site investigation will be developed.

A Phase 1 Desk Study should always precede any ground investigation.Using the interpretive report to highlight potential development issues, environmental and cost liabilities requiring further investigation.

Step 2 – Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation

A Phase 2 assessment consists of an Intrusive Site investigation with quantitative risk assessment. The Phase 1 Desk Study will highlight the areas for further investigation and define the scope of these works. Any potential pollutant linkages can then be prioritised for investigation and depending on the Phase 1 Desk study report the appropriate investigation techniques utilised.

Site Investigation Intrusive Techniques Examples:

• Cable Percussive Boreholes
• Window Sample Drilling
• Deep Window Sample Borehole
• Rock Coring
• Rotary Boreholes
• Rotary Core Drilling
• Dynamic Probing
• Trial Pits
• Trenches
• Windowless Sampling Rig
• Soakaway Testing
• Modular windowless sampling drilling rig
• Plate bearing testing
• California bearing ratio (CBR) testing

Step 3 – Post Site Investigations

Once the preliminary site investigations have been completed the results are analysed. If further site investigations are required these can be completed by our multi-disciplined team. These could include:

• Environmental Monitoring
• Soil Testing
• Geotechnical Monitoring
• Slope Stability Assessment
• Radon Monitoring
• Remediation Designs
• Gas protection measures.

Step 4 – Site Investigation Report

An interpretive report will then be compiled from all the information and data gathered from the ground investigations, testing, monitoring for the site.

Our Earth Environmental & Geotechnical consultants can discuss the details of the report and provide further services as required