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Contaminated Land Reports

Phase 1 Contaminated Land Surveys for planning applications, building regulations and property transactions

EnviroSmart Contaminated Land Reports

What is contaminated land?

Contaminated land is common to find in brownfield land and places where there has been past industrial use, due to potentially hazardous substances being previously present in the area. However, it is not uncommon for greenfield land to be contaminated, which is why we recommend assessments to look at the likelihood the area is affected by contamination. 

Land is identified as contaminated if:

  • It has been affected by a pollutant, which is known as the source.
  • It is possible that someone or something, known as the receptor, is present that could be affected by the pollutant
  • The pollutant can get to the receptor in sufficient quantities that have the potential to cause harm.

Feature Comparison

Looking for the right contaminated land package for you? At GeoSmart, we have three assessment options, with all giving clear management options for contaminated land and fast delivery times to help you prepare to manage risks that may occur on developments. Find out more about our different report options below.

EnviroSmart

From £695+VAT*
A desktop land contamination assessment including a conceptual site model and risk assessment consistent with LCRM 2020 guidance
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EnviroSmart Plus

From £995+VAT*
A desktop land contamination assessment with the addition of a site visit.
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EnviroSmart Pro

From £1,395+VAT*
A desktop land contamination assessment, site visit and detailed review of planning history.
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FeaturesEnviroSmartEnviroSmart PlusEnviroSmart 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)**5-105-10 from date of Site visit15-30
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, location & complexity. **2 Expedited turnarounds are available on request

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Additional Services Available

  • Initial exploratory investigations
  • Phase 2 Assessments and DQRA
  • Geotechnical assessments UXO (prelim and desk study)
  • Mining searches
  • Soil Survey and soil contamination testing
  • Support for building regulations
  • Ecology/ecological surveys
  • Bat survey

 

Other available environmental reports:

Why choose GeoSmart?

At GeoSmart, we have a team of qualified report writers to help give you reliable and clear reports that can assist planning applications. We provide quality training to our employees to help understand your queries and support both you and your client. We also provide £5m of PI cover for all reports and services.

Find out more about our contaminated land reports.

FAQs

What is a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Report?

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 environmental report that contains a qualitative risk assessment, including a conceptual site model that describes the potentially significant sources of land and soil contamination, receptors and pathways.

The contaminated land survey 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 land 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.

What does a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Report contain?

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.

Who are Phase 1 Contaminated Land Reports intended for?
  • Property developers
  • Self-build
  • Property professionals such as architects, planning consultants and land agents
  • Lawyers and solicitors
  • Lenders, banks or mortgage providers
  • Businesses
  • Insurance companies
Why might a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Report be required?
  • Validating planning applications
  • Meeting planning conditions
  • For land and property purchase
  • For the sale or divestment of a site
  • Due diligence
  • Lending, mortgages, pension funds
  • Business risk assessment
Can contaminated land affect the development process?

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.

Who is responsible or has a duty of care in contaminated land issues?

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.

Video FAQs

What is a Phase 1 Desk Study and what does it include?

Do I need a Site Walkover and what does it involve?

What is a Phase 2 Investigation and when do I need one?

How long will it take for me to receive my Phase 1 report?

The Planning Authority have asked me for a Contaminated Land Report - why do I need one?

Check out our Knowledge Hub

For further information see our knowledge hub

Knowledge Hub

Case Studies

Phase 1 Desk Study for a Car Showroom

We undertook an EnviroSmart Report to address planning requirements for the conversion of a car show room into residential dwellings.

Read more
Additional Dwelling in a Garden - Reading

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.

Read more
Phase 1 Desk Study for a Former Public House

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.

Read more

See what our customers have to say...

"During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
Linda Barton
"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
"I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
Martin Lloyd
Martin Lloyd Associates
"Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
Robert McCall
OeMO Ltd
"Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
Nigel Slack
Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
"The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
Ben Thorns
Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
"The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
Craig Roberts
Hunter Page
"Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
Geraint Harris
Vitec Consult
"We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
Alan Gunne-Jones
Planning & Development Associates
"The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
John Childs
Private Developer
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