Contaminated Land Investigations

Through detailed desk studies, site investigations and testing in a UKAS accredited laboratory, we carry out contaminated land investigations across much of the UK, to identify and address land contamination, helping you to avoid penalties and unexpected costs, support planning applications and ensure regulatory compliance.

In order to identify land contamination, whether it be to support a planning or buildings regulations application or for assurance when buying land, a contaminated land investigation needs to be carried out and, in some cases, commencement of a project may not be possible without one. It may be the case that a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment is all that's required for your project, however, it may be necessary to carry out further investigations, including soil sampling and remediation.

Fast & Qualified - Turnaround within days of site visit, including Walkover Survey and sample collection, with soil analysis carried out in a UKAS accredited laboratory and testing that meets all relevant British Standards.

Environmental Regulations - Contaminated land site investigation reports detailing any potential contamination at a site to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect you from penalties by environmental authorities.

Planning Permission - We regularly carry out contaminated land investigations to support planning applications and to satisfy conditions placed on planning approval, for a wide range of construction and development projects.

Our Contaminated Land Site Investigation Services

Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study) - Our contaminated land investigations will incorporate all aspects of the consultancy process, beginning with desk studies to develop a detailed assessment of the site history, ground conditions and environmental setting, through analysis of information obtained from sources including the British Geological Survey, Environment Agency and Ordnance Survey. This information is then used to produce a Conceptual Site Model, evaluate the potential contamination risk and determine the requirement or scope of further investigations.

Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigations - While desk studies can identify potential land contamination, an intrusive investigation of ground conditions is often required to determine whether land is contaminated. As a result, our contaminated land reports can also involve in-depth surveys of potential risks through intrusive contaminated land site investigations, such as soil sampling and UKAS & MCERTS accredited laboratory analysis. The findings from our site investigation and soil analysis will be used to produce a contaminated land report that clearly and concisely details any contaminants present in the soil.

It is important to note that before a Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation can be conducted, a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment must first be carried out. This is because the results of the Preliminary Risk Assessment will determine the scope of, or requirement for, an Intrusive Site Investigation. The two phases are often presented individually but it is possible to have these presented as part of the same report, referred to in the Environment Agency LCRM guidance as a Stage 1 Risk Assessment.

Phase 3 Remediation Options Appraisal - If in the unfortunate situation that land contamination has been identified and quantified, a Phase 3 Remediation Options Appraisal is conducted to provide you with suitable remediation options. When carrying out this phase we assess remediation options based on both their ability to mitigate contamination risk and the cost of implementation. To aide efficiency, we can also manage and carry out the implementation of a contaminated land remediation strategy.

Phase 4 Verification Report - Following the implementation of remediation measures at a site, a Phase 4 Verification Report is conducted to confirm that remediation work has successfully mitigated the land contamination risk and it is now safe for its intended used. Verification requirements are based on the type of remediation carried out at a site, however, they can include soil sampling and testing, document reviews, site visits and associated reporting.

Watching Brief - While not part of the phased approach to a contaminated land investigation, a Watching Brief can be a useful tool to avoid more costly methods of identifying contaminated land.

We had a phase two site investigation done by Oakshire for a new build. They were competitively priced, did a thorough professional job and were available for follow up queries even well after the work. They were also very switched on with regards to the nature of the issues and how to remedy them. Would definitely recommend them. Probably the best professional advisors we used for our project across the different disciplines. - Mr Todwick

Why Contaminated Land Investigations Are So Crucial

Contamination of land can come from a variety of sources throughout the historical use of a site, particularly in cities like Birmingham, London, Manchester & Nottingham with large environmental footprints due to their industrial past. Historical asbestos works, manufacturing activities, mining, petrol stations and various other sources can lead to the release of toxic or carcinogenic chemicals, organic contaminants and other potentially harmful substances. Rural sites can also have issues with land contamination from agricultural activities so the identification of this contamination, through a contaminated land investigation, is crucial and can help you avoid potential costs and even penalties from environmental authorities, such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Planning Permission and Contaminated Land - A contaminated land investigation is often a necessary supporting document for a planning application, or to obtain planning permission for a construction project, and you may find it requested through conditions imposed on planning approval. Planning conditions for contaminated land may be imposed even if the potential contamination doesn't originate on the site; so while a site may appear uncontaminated, it may be subject to contamination from elsewhere.

Building Regulations - Compliance with "Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture" of building regulations, required on a multitude of different types of construction project, will necessitate the need for a comprehensive contaminated land site investigation.

Property and Land - If you are buying a plot of land and do not carry out a contaminated land investigation before buying, you can become liable for any previously unidentified contamination on the site, even if you didn't cause the contamination. Similarly, if you fail to carry out a contaminated land investigation and proceed to build on contaminated land, you will be liable for any subsequent environmental issues caused. You may also find it difficult to sell land if you cannot prove that it is uncontaminated.

What we're working on right now - We're working on a contaminated land investigation, to include a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment and Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation, for a site in Nottinghamshire, prior to our client's purchase of the land and proposed residential housing development. Development is due to get underway following discharge of contaminated land planning conditions, attached to approval for the proposed development.

Contaminated Land Case Study & Review

Our client required a contaminated land investigation for a barn conversion project in Yorkshire, as requested by the local planning authority through conditions imposed on planning approval. Firstly, we carried out a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment, within days of the initial enquiry, that identified a potential risk of contamination at the site and recommended that further investigation was required. We were then able to promptly carry out a Phase 2 Intrusive Site Investigation to include the collection of soil samples for analysis in a UKAS accredited laboratory. Laboratory testing and detailed reporting allowed us to concluded that no contamination was identified at the site, making it suitable for its proposed residential use and allowing the client's project to continue without delay.

This company did an excellent contamination report for me quickly and professionally, I couldn't fault them in any way and would highly recommend them. - Judith Smith

Meet Our Land Contamination Consultants

Consultants - Supervised by our Chief Technical Officer, Louis Turner, our fully comprehensive contaminated land investigations, are carried out by highly qualified consultants, combining over 30 years experience with recognised in-depth technical qualifications in identification of contamination and environmental issues, as well as the implementation of remediation work.

Management - Our wealth of experience in project management, logistics and environmental consulting allows us to provide an efficient, friendly and high quality contaminated land investigation service for our clients. As a company, we believe that helping clients achieve their goals while simultaneously protecting the environment is a true "win-win" situation.

Partners - Our experienced, professional and qualified construction and consulting partners further extend the range of environmental and land contamination services we are able to provide. Our partners provide our clients with services such as waste management, remediation implementation and construction services.

Contact Us - Contact us and let us know your requirements, alternatively, if your requirements are more complex, or you're looking for more information about our contaminated land investigations or our company, a more formal consultation may be necessary. Following initial consultation we can provide an outline proposal detailing how we can help and the costs involved.

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