Erection of Gospel Hall, Greenacre, Doncaster Road, Branton, Doncaster

Case Study Reference: CS15-09-15

Planning Authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Planning Reference: 17/01271/COND and 17/02739/COND

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 the site was undeveloped until the 1960 map when the site formed part of the garden of Sandpit Bungalow, and by 1976 the site was occupied by Greenacre.

A garage was noted on the eastern boundary from the 1960 map which by 1976 had been replaced by a dwelling. Two excavations were noted on the 1960 map 120m and 200m south east of the site, both appeared to have been in-filled by the 1976 map.

Aerial imagery indicated the site was cleared between 2009 and 2013, street level imagery confined the site was occupied by a dwelling.

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, no previous applications were noted.

The published geological maps identified the site being in an area where the drift soils were recorded as River Terrace Deposits (sands and gravels). The bedrock was given as the Nottingham Castle Sandstone Formation.

As part of the site visit a hand held trial pit was excavated, made ground was not recorded in the trial pit.

Data provided by the Coal Authority indicated that the site is not within a “Development High Risk Area”.

A review of the BGS borehole database indicated that a borehole record was available 12m east of the site, this recorded sandstone to be at 3mbgl.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified workings 124m south east and 207m south of the site as well as a landfill 137m south east of the site (Brooklands Lane).

The sensitivity of controlled waters was undertaken to determine if the site posed a risk to the nearby water bodies, this concluded that as the bedrock was a principal aquifer and was of moderate risk indicating the groundwater was a credible receptor.

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

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 former adjoining garage and the landfill warranted further assessment.

The Phase I report was submitted to partly discharge the contaminated land planning condition (17/01271/COND). The report were accepted and the desk study part of the condition was discharged.

Once the scope of the further works had bene approved the site investigation was undertaken, it was decided that the incorporation of gas protection measures weas preferred to undertaking ground gas monitoring leaving the excavation of a trial trench along the boundary with the former garage.

Samples of the soils were taken for chemical (hydrocarbon) analysis, which demonstrated there was no evidence of the migration of contamination from the former adjoining garage. The report concluded that no remediation was required and that the only issue recommendation was to install gas protection measures in to the building.

The Phase II report was submitted to discharge part b of the condition (17/02739/COND), the recommendations were accepted.