Residential Development, Church Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent

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 the erection of a dwelling.  The site was occupied by an agricultural building, the past use of the site have the potential to impact site soils.

A Phase I desk study report assess the potential for a site to be impacted by contamination, this is undertaken by researching the history of the site and the surrounds as well as a review of information held by regulatory bodies and a site visit.

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 developed prior to the first edition O.S. map with the majority of the site being open land with buildings associated with the Rectory on the south western boundary.  There was evidence of redevelopment on the 1968 map. A number of ponds and excavatiosn were noted within 250m of the site.

The planning history of the site was reviewed and no salient information was obtained.

The published geology identified alluvium, a naturally occurring potential source of ground gases on the northern boundary of the site.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a number of pits within 250m of the site

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised of a dwelling, garage building and open land.

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 made ground to be present on the site as well as the alluvium and off site parcels of in-filled land posed a potential risk and required further investigation.

The report concluded that made ground is likely limited ot the areas that have been developed and a watching brief was proposed, the potential risks from gorudn gases would be further investigation either by undertaking ground gas monitoring or the incorporation foi gas protection measures in the buildings.

The report was submitted to support the application, the memo from Environmental Health confirmed the recommendations of the report were accepted.