Rection of a Dwelling, Stalmine, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, FY6

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 undeveloped and by the 1932 map the site formed part of the gardens of the adjoining property. A nummber of ponds were noted within 250m of the site, three of which had been in-filled.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research and the reports associated with anyprevious application and the subject 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 was underlain by the Hambleton Mudstone Member. As no publicly available boreholes for the areas were available from the BGS no further information ion ground conditions could be obtained.

Data provided by regulatory bodies confirmed the presence of four ponds within 250m of the site.

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 dwelling.

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 no further works were warranted.

The report was submitted (15/01012/DIS) to discharge the contaminated land planning condition, the recommendations accepted and the condition discharged.