Residential Development, Eagles Way, Runcorn Cheshire WA7

In order to demonstrate the site could be safely developed a Phase I desk study report (prepared by others) was submitted with the planning application. This identified a number of potential sources of contamination and further works were proposed, which was conditioned on the decision notice.

Demeter Environmental were approached in order to undertake the required works, as part of this the initial desk study report was reviewed and it was concluded that a limited site investigation and gas monitoring was required. Given the timescales a 13 week monitoring programme was not feasible and a four week continuous monitoring programme was undertaken.

The site investigation was undertaken in two stages, initially the trial pits were excavated in order to determine if the site levels had been raised. The investigation demonstrated the levels had not been raised and mudstone was at shallow depth. Made ground was encountered across the site and comprised a thin layer on the surface.

Once the geology was known monitoring installations were installed using a dynamic sampling rig, once the wells were in place the continuous monitors were installed and the monitoring commenced.

Once the assessment of the chemical data was complete an interim report was issued which was followed up when the continuous monitoring data was available.

The Phase II report was submitted alongside the Phase IIa Implementation Plan (22/00211/COND), both reports were accepted and the development commenced.