Barn Conversion at Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire

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 the site was occupied bya barn prior to the first edition (1846) O.S. map, a second building was identified on the 1939 map and a further building on the 1965 map.

The site appeared to be located within a farm complex, a number of ponds were noted on the 1890 map, all of which were in-filled.

Street level imagery indicated the building on site weas a two storey brick barn with a slate roof.

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 which in turn was underlain by the Sidmouth Mudstone Formation.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a household waste landfill 185m north of the site, the landfill was operational from between 1960 and 1970.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised of an are of concrete hard-standing on the southern area, a barn and a single storey out-building. The area between the barn and out-buildings was roughly grassed with a number of concrete boulders present.

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 only credible source of contamination was made ground on the site. The landfill was discounted as the area subject to landfilling was in excess of 250m from the site.

The report concluded that the made ground was to be removed from the site and a watching brief should be undertaken to ensure no made ground remained on the site.

The report was submitted to discharge the contaminated land planning condition (12/00322/DIS)