If you are submitting a planning application for a new residential dwelling it is likely that the Local Planning Authority will impose a condition that:
“No development shall take place on site until a full survey of the site has taken place to determine the extent of contamination of the land and the results together with any remedial works necessary have been agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”
This can usually be addressed by a “Phase 1 Contamination Assessment”. This requires a review of the site’s history, a search of environmental databases and a visual inspection of the site to determine whether there is likely to be a risk of contamination.
Requirements
The Local Authority will usually be fairly particular about the standard of the report, and many will not accept Environmental Reports that are based purely on the post code. A visual inspection of the site (often referred to as a site walkover survey) must be carried out.
About us
Reports For Planning is based in Devon and provides Phase 1 Contamination Risk Assessments to the standards required by the Local Authorities. Reports have been provided to the satisfaction of the councils in the South West, including South Hams, Teignbridge, Exeter City, Plymouth City and Torbay. Our principal consultant has 12 years experience in the assessment of contaminated land. He has worked for a number of major consulting engineers and meets the requirements of local authorities for undertaking contaminated land assessments.
Cost
The cost for a basic site is £495 and reports can usually be provided within a week or two, depending on the size of your development.