Replacement Dwelling, Humblescough Lane, Nateby, Preston, Lancashire, PR3

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 developed prior to the first edition O.S. map (1847) and the site formed part of a farm. A number of ponds were identified within 250m of the site.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research and the reports associated with the two previous 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 were underlain by the Sherwood Sandstone Group. 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 a number of 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 existing garden area of the farmhouse and two agricultural buildings, the layout suggested the buildings were used to house livestock and were currently used to store wood.

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 on the site posed a credible risk and warranted further works.

Given the low risks posed by the made ground remediation in lieu of investigation was proposed, the report was submitted (18/01054/DIS) to partly discharge the contaminated land panning condition.