Erection of a Dwelling, Garstang Road, Barton, Preston, Lancashire, PR3

Case Study Reference: CS18-05-06

Planning Authority: Preston City Council

Planning Reference: https://selfservice.preston.gov.uk/service/planning/search.aspx and https://selfservice.preston.gov.uk/service/planning/ApplicationView.aspx?AppNo=06/2016/0393&Id1=202210282052266a991cffb0be24f0 (https://selfservice.preston.gov.uk/service/planning/ApplicationView.aspx?AppNo=06/2018/0740&Id1=202101141918329941b3d527b0bb99)

Synopsis:

Given the sensitive nature of the development (residential) and the history of the site a contaminated land planning condition was attached to the decision notice for the proposed development.

The first stage of discharging the condition was to prepare a Phase I desk study report in order to determine if the site has the potential to be impacted by elevated levels of contamination, and to determine the source as well as the likelihood of the risk occurring.

A desk study determines what issues relating to historical contamination may affect the site, this is undertaken by reviewing the site history using a combination of O.S. maps, aerial, plates and street level imagery, a review of data held by regulatory bodies (Environment Agency, local authority, BGS etc.) as well as a site walkover survey.

The history of the site and surrounds were researched using a combination of Ordnance Survey (O.S.) maps, street level imagery and aerial plates, this revealed that a brick pit may have been present on the north western area of the site with a building potentially a ‘Tile Kiln’ being present on the north western boundary/

Four ponds were noted within 250m of the site, all of which were identified on aerial plates.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research and the reports associated with any previous application were located and studied, no salient information was obtained.

The published geological maps identified the site as being underlain by Devensian Till with peat (potential source of ground gases) being present 41m north west. The Till was underlain by the Sherwood Sandstone Group. As no publicly available boreholes for the areas were available from the BGS no further information ion ground conditions could be obtained.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a cutting on the eastern boundary which was associated with the adjoining railway line.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site formed part of a garden with the remainder a field.

Once the walkover survey was completed a qualitative risk assessment was undertaken on the potential sources of contamination identified in the desk study report in order to determine if any warranted further investigation, this concluded that the potential for an in-filled pit to be present on the site as well as peat off the site required further assessment.

The report was submitted to partly discharge (06/2018/0740)  the contaminated land planning condition, the recommendations accepted and the condition discharged.