Prior approval for proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse, Staynall Lane, Hambleton, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, FY6

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 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 was initially formed by open land with the site being developed between 1938 and 1951.

Four ponds were noted within 100m of the site.

Street level imagery indicated the site was occupied by three buildings which appeared to be disused and associated overgrown grassed areas.

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 were underlain by the Singleton Mudstone Member.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a landfill 100m north west of the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by three disused buildings with the central building having been used as a workshop with stanning present. Damaged cement sheeting was also identified on the site.

The area of the landfill was also inspected as part of the site visit, no evidence if landfilling was noted.

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 use of the site as a workshop, staining, damaged cement sheeting and the potential for made ground to be present on the site warranted further assessment.

The scope and rationale of the further works were given, based on the assessment fo the risk posed by the landfill it was concluded that either gas monitoring or the incorporation of gas protection measures in lieu of mentoring was suitable.