Erection of a Bungalow, Rainham, Havering, London

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 open land until circa 1939 when the site formed part of the garden of the adjoining dwelling.

A number of ponds and excavations were also note don the O.S. maps, a landfill was also identified on the 1967 map 220m 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 the Taplow Gravel Formation which in turn were underlain by London Clay. The geological maps also identified deposits of made ground on the eastern boundary of the site.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a number of excavations, including gravel pits and ponds.  Data provided by the Environment Agency identified landfills ot the north west and south east of the site as well as the land on the eastern boundary being defined as ‘Contaminated Land’; under Part 2A of the Environmental Act 1990.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site formed part of the garden of the adjoining property.

As part of the walkover survey the client excavated a trial pit, the sequence was recorded which confirmed the published geology, no evidence of made ground was noted.

Further research was undertaken on the landfills, this revealed that there were reports that indicated the landfills were not generating ground gases.

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 there were no credible sources of contamination and the report concluded that no further works were warranted.

The report was submitted (Q0188.14) to discharge the contaminated land planning condition, the conclusions of the report were accepted and the condition discharged.