"We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
Gregory Gray
Gregory Gray Associates
| Features | EnviroSmart | EnviroSmart Plus | EnviroSmart Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant’s professional opinion | |||
| £5 million PI insurance | |||
| Consultation with local authorities | |||
| Considers redevelopment or change of use | |||
| Manual review of detailed historic maps | |||
| Fast delivery time (working days)** | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Expert help to discharge planning condition | |||
| Supports Architects, Developers, Planning Consultants and the Legal Market | |||
| Site walkover/reconnaissance visit | |||
| Detailed review of planning history and available borehole logs |
*1 Pricing based on site size & complexity. **2 Expedited turnarounds are available on request
Save when purchasing two or more reports at the same time with our Report Bundles!
2 Reports: Save 5%
3 Reports: Save 10%
A Phase 1 Contaminated Land Report is a literature-based review designed to give an overview of the risk of land or groundwater contamination to end-users (house occupiers or workers) and the immediate environment.
A Phase 1 Study collates relevant information from a variety of sources relating to the setting of the site and its previous historical uses. The end product is an interpretive report that contains a qualitative risk assessment, including a conceptual site model that describes the potentially significant sources of contamination, receptors and pathways.
The study involves multiple sources of information often including Ordnance Survey maps, geological and groundwater vulnerability maps, aerial photographs, local and national archives, and newspapers and registers held by relevant regulatory agencies. A site walkover (land investigation) may be required to support the collated desk-based information, to provide details of the current condition of the site, and to gather evidence of potential contamination.
When a site walkover is requested, we will generally conduct the walkover following the initial desk study to ensure a ‘best value’ approach in meeting regulations and individual report needs.
A Phase 1 Study collates relevant information from a variety of sources relating to the site setting and its previous historical uses. The end product is an interpretive report that describes the likely presence of any contamination within the subsurface, and the potential risks that this may pose to future site users and the immediate environment. A site walkover may be required to support the desk study information and to provide greater certainty in the report findings.
If land is highlighted by the local planning authority as potentially being contaminated, the authority’s Contaminated Land Officer is likely to impose a planning condition that an assessment must be completed for clarification. Until that assessment has been completed and accepted by the Contaminated Land Officer, the development should not proceed.
The original polluter of the land is officially the person or organisation responsible for any liabilities relating to land contamination. As the pollution may have occurred decades earlier, potentially prior to legislation, this person or organisation may never be found and it is therefore the new owner who will be responsible. It is essential that the person responsible for undertaking the property purchase or development, and their legal advisor, understands the degree of risks and potential financial implications.
Each local authority has a general responsibility for identifying and deciding on necessary actions in relation to contaminated land in its area. Land can potentially be sold when contaminated and the responsibility may end up being passed onto the new owner, or indeed a bank or mortgage lender if the new purchaser was to default. In summary, professional advice should always be sought prior to purchase on any previously developed land.
We undertook an EnviroSmart Report to address planning requirements for the conversion of a car show room into residential dwellings.
We undertook an EnviroSmart Report to address a planning condition attached to a planning application that had been granted for the erection of a detached residential dwelling within the garden of an existing property.
We undertook a EnviroSmart Report to address the requirements for a pre-planning application for a proposed development of a former public house into a nursing care facility.
For further information see our knowledge hub