Erection of a Dwelling, Owlerbarrow Road, Bury, BL8

Case Study Reference: CS18-03-05

Planning Authority: Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

Planning Reference: Bury Metropolitan Borough Council and 68056

Synopsis:

In order to demonstrate that after the development the site could not be classified as ‘contaminated land’ under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act a Phase I desk study report was required to support the application for residential redevelopment of the site.

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 the site was initially (1850) the site formed part of a larger parcel of open land, the site was developed between 1980 and 1989 when a dwelling was present on the northern edge of the site.

A number of ponds, a reservoir and filters beds were noted within 250m of the site. Street level imagery was not available for the site.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research and reports associated with any previous application were located and studied, three previous applications were noted for the site which all related to extensions to the existing dwelling, the associated documents were reviewed and no salient information obtained.

The published geological maps identified made ground in three locations within 250m of the site, this was only identified on the large scale geological maps. The drift geology was given as Devensian Till and the solid geology is given as the Pennine Lower Coal Measures Formation (mudstone, siltstone and sandstone) of the Langsettian Sub-age.

A review of the data from the Coal Authority indicated the site was to within a ‘Development High Risk’ area hence the legacy of coal mining was not an issue for this site.

Background soil chemistry data provided by the British Geological Survey (BGS) identified that the soils in the area were impacted by naturally elevated concentrations of lead.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified the presence of a a number of ponds/reservoirs, the closest being 20m south of the site, as well as workings 145m north west and filter beds 190m south.

The sensitivity of controlled waters was undertaken to determine if the site posed a risk to the nearby controlled waters, this concluded that as the bedrock was a Secondary aquifer and the site was not within a Source Protection Zone (SPZ), the sensivitity was regarded as low hence no further assessment was warranted.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised a dwelling and associated gardens.

As part of the walkover survey three hand held trial pits were excavated to a depth of 0.2mbgl, made ground was not recorded in the trial pits.

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 there were no credible sources of contamination on the site and that no further works were required.

The report was submitted to support the application, the conclusions of the report were accepted and the development was granted permission without a contaminated land planning condition.