Stansted Environmental Services specialises in providing commercial solutions for contaminated land conditions for residential and commercial developments. SES recognises the need for a simple way forward in determining the contaminative status of land by offering expert contaminated land surveys.
Land contamination has become an important environmental issue since 1995 with the development of the contaminated land regime (set out in part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990). It was introduced in England on 1st April 2000 and on 1st July 2001 in Wales, hence the need for in-depth contaminated land surveys.
When may you be asked to undertake a contaminated land survey?
Local Authorities can place conditions on planning permission requiring that developers investigate land contamination and, where it is found, clean it up to a standard where it is considered that there is no risk to future users of the site, controlled waters or environmentally sensitive habitats.
Under the contaminated land regime investigation may also be enforced by the Local Authority or Environment Agency even if a site is not being redeveloped, but is causing, or has the potential to cause, significant harm.
Our competent consultants have a number of years of experience in dealing with Contaminated Land conditions and working with Local Authorities.
Contaminated Land investigations are typically carried out in a phased approach as follows;
Phase I Desktop Study
The principal aim of a Phase I environmental report is to gather historical information and details of any potentially contaminative processes that may have occurred on the site, which is needed to form a conceptual model.
Phase II Intrusive Investigation
A Phase II contaminated land assessment is required where the conceptual model developed during the Phase I study identifies areas of high risk that cannot be mitigated, or where further information is required.
Phase III - Remediation Method Statement
If remediation is deemed necessary following the Phase II works, then a site specific remediation methodology can be produced.
Phase IV - Validation Services
Following the remediation of the contaminated land there is a possibility that the Local Authority and or the Environment Agency will require verification that remediation has been completed.