Conversion of a Drinking Establishment to a Dwelling, Congleton, Cheshire

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 developed prior to the first edition (1873) O.S. map and was occupied by a number of buildings.

A mill was present on the south eastern boundary which on later maps was identified as a factory and depot.

A number of mills, scrap yard and ponds were noted within 250m of the site.

Street level imagery confirmed the site was occupied by a public house.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research, two previous applications for the residential redevelopment of the site were noted.  The reports associated with any previous application were located and studied, no salient information was obtained.

The published geological maps identified the drift soils to be devensian glaciofluvial sheets deposits (sands and gravels), alluvium deposits were recorded to be present on the southern boundary of the site.

The bedrock was given as the Bollin Mudstone Member. No BGS borehole were available in close proximity to the site to provide further information on the ground conditions.

Data provided by regulatory bodies confirmed the presence of two ponds as well as the scrap yard identified on the O.S. maps.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by a building with a landscaped/patio area to the rear.

As part of the site walkover survey three hand held trial pits were excavated in the garden area to the rear of the property in order to obtain samples for chemical testing. The recorded geology was consistent with the published geology.

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 as the samples of thew site soils were not impacted by elevated concentrations of contamination there were no credible sources of contamination and concluded that no further works/assessment were warranted.

The report was submitted ot discharge the contaminated land planning condition (15/2639D), the recommendations of the report accepted and the condition discharged.