Erection of a Dwelling, West Street, Lindley, Huddersfield, HD3

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 initially developed circa 1933 and further developed circa 1960. Aerial plates identified vehicles on the site. Excavations were noted on the northern boundary of the site on the 1960 map as well as a tip 35m west of the site.

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 the Pennine Lower Coal Measures Formation, no drift deposits were recorded to be present. As no publicly available boreholes for the areas were available from the BGS no further information ion ground conditions could be obtained.

Both the 10,000 and 50,000 scale maps identified deposits of made ground within 250m of the site.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a number of ground workings within 250m of the site as well as a landfill on the northern boundary of the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised of residential garages with the northern area being approximately 2m lower than the remainder of the site.

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 residential garages and the landfill on the northern boundary posed a potential risk and further works were proposed to investigate both potential issues.

The report was submitted (2019/44/90723/W) to partly discharge the contaminated land planning condition, the recommendations were accepted and the condition relating to the desk study discharged.