Erection of a Dwelling, Garstang Road ,Catterall, Preston, PR3

THE PROJECT

Site context.
Practical findings.

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 an extension to an existing commercial building.

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. The O.S. maps provided little information apart from the site was developed between 1951 and 1965 when a unidentified building was present on the site.

Aerial plates indicated the building was commercial or industrial, street kevel imagery confirmed this and what appeared to be a fuel dispenser was identified on the site.

The history of the area around the site was also reviewed, no off site potential sources of contamination were identified.

Information provided by regulatory bodies did not provide any further salient information.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this revealed the site was occupied by a commercial building, which was vacant at the time of the survey, a collapsed lean to structure was also present. The fuel dispenser identified on the street level imagery was present on the site, evidence of a fuel tank and inspection pit was also noted.

Given the layout of the site and presence of a fuel dispenser it was plausible the site was a former filling station / garage.

On completion of the walkover survey 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 past uses of the site as well as the potential for the presence of tanks warranted further assessment.