Erection of a Dwelling, Spring Lane Sprotbrough Doncaster DN5 7QG

Case Study Reference: CS22-06-02

Planning Authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Planning Reference: 21/01084/FUL and 22/01589/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 1961 map when the site formed part of a garden with two small budlings which were cleared by 1978. A railway cutting was identified 137m west of the site which was dismantled by 1983 and in-filled by 1989.

Aerial imagery and street level imagery confirmed the site was an open parcel of land.

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, two previous applications were noted and the memo with 17/00224/FUL identified a landfill within 250m of the site.

A review of the data held by Demeter Environmental identified a previous site that was investigated that was adjoining the landfill mentioned in the memo.

The published geological maps identified the site being in an area where no drift soils were recorded. The bedrock was given as the Brotherton Formation (Dolomitic Limestone) of the Late Permian Epoch

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 no borehole records was available in close proximity to the site.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified cuttings 140m west of the site, in the same location as a landfill.

The sensitivity of controlled waters was undertaken to determine if the site posed a risk to the nearby water bodies, this concluded that whilst the bedrock was a principal aquifer there were no abstractions within 1,000m the sensitivity of the aquifer was regarded indicating the groundwater was not a credible receptor.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised of a garden.

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 landfill to the west posed a potential risk.

It weas proposed that either ground gas monitoring was undertaken or gas protection measures were to be installed into the proposed development.

The Phase I report was submitted to partly discharge the contaminated land planning condition (22/01589/COND). The memo confirms that the incorporation of gas protection measures was accepted and the condition party discharged.