Given the history of the site (agricultural) and the sensitivity fo the development (residential) 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 appeared to form part fo the land associated with the adjoining dwelling. BY 1950 the site had been developed and a single building was present, further development was noted on the 1977 map when a further two buildings were present and the site weas identified as Bridge Farm.

Street level imagery confirmed the buildings were agricultural.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research in order to establish the planning history of the site as well as reviewing any documents submitted with the applications in order to obtain further information on the past uses of the site. A Phase I report associated with a previous application was noted, the report was for a single building which identified the building as a workshop.

The published geological maps identified the site as being underlain by Tidal Flat despots which was in tun underlain by the Oxford Clay Formation (mudstone), borehole records held by the BGS were reviewed and no publicly boreholes were available for the area around the site.

Data provided by Public Health England and the BGS indicated the site was not in an area where radon was an potential issue. The site was also not in an area where there were elevated concentrations of naturally elevated contamination.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified the presence of a silo on the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken to provide further information on any potential sources of contamination identified and to determine if any other potential sources are present. This confirmed the site was occupied by three agricultural buildings as well as two grain silos.

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 made ground on the site as well as the damaged cement sheeting posed a potential risk and further works were proposed. Two options for the works were given, either to investigate the site to determine if the potential issues are present or assume the issues are present and undertake remediation on the site.

In order to discharge the desk study element of the contaminated land planning condition  the report was submitted (F/YR22/3091/COND), the memo from Environmental Health confirming the proposals for the further investigation were accepted.