Residential Development, Twemlow Lane, Cranage, CW4 8EX

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 residential redevelopment f the site.

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 the site was initially developed between 2002 and 2010. A pond was noted 240m south of the site.

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

The published geological maps identified the site as being underlain by Devensian Glaciofluvial Deposits which in turn were underlain by the Sidmouth Mudstone Formation. As no publicly available boreholes for the areas were available from the BGS no further information in ground conditions could be obtained.

Data provided by regulatory bodies confirmed the presence of a pond to the south of the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by stables, training area and gravel access path.

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 potential for made ground to be present warranted further assessment and concluded that in lieu of further works remediation was a suitable alternative.

The report was submitted to support the application, the recommendations accepted and the application granted.