“[…] rest assured you have really impressed our construction director, technical team and myself so we will be coming to you when new sites/issues on existing sites arise”.

IGE provided clear reporting of all geo-environmental requirements during the design and construction phase of a 300 plot residential development which allowed sign off of all plots of impressive timescales

Having worked with Andrew on numerous projects, we had consistently delivered innovative, cost saving ground solutions across our brownfield developments

Does the site investigation work include geotechnical information for engineering design – foundation design, ground floor slab, etc.?

The Phase 2 / II site investigation and Report principally relates to the contaminated land aspects of a Site to achieve the necessary planning requirements and assessment.

Consequently, these works do not include any geotechnical information which could be utilised for the design of foundation, ground floor slab design – given the intrusive nature of the site investigation works it is regarded prudent to undertake a joint approach where prudent.

This can save considerable cost and time.

What is a Phase 2 / II Report? And what will it contain?

The Phase 2 / II report details the physical intrusive works (site investigation) designed within the Phase 1 Desk Study Report. It is another requirement for the planning process to allow a Remedial / Remediation Strategy to be determined – which is typically a Pre-Commencement planning condition requirement.

The site investigation works will incorporate undertaking trial pits, boreholes, hand dug pits, etc. to inspect and undertake chemical testing of soils and water in line with BS:10175 (2011).

The aim of the Phase 2 / II report is to reduce the uncertainties identified in the initial conceptual model contained within the Phase 1 Desk Study Report by quantifying potential contamination and subsequently assessing this in a risk assessment. The risk assessment utilises Generic Assessment Criteria, which are allowable concentrations of contamination understood to be of very low risk to humans, rivers, aquifers etc. based on certain proposed end uses e.g. residential housing with private gardens.

The assessment should characterise plausible source-pathway-receptor linkages at the site and provide information for the refinement of the initial conceptual model.

The findings of the report will determine the requirement for further Detailed Quantative Risk Assessment (DQRA) or a Remedial Strategy / Remediation Strategy.

DQRA utilises site specific information to determine more representative allowable concentration of contamination rather than the Generic Assessment Criteria (noted above) – typically this provides a more accurate site-specific assessment.

The cost of these reports is typically between £750 ex VAT to £2000 ex VAT but can vary subject to size and complexity of the site.

Why do I need a Phase 1 Geo-Environmental ‘Desk Study’ Report?

This document is the first stage in understanding what contaminated land, geotechnical and geological (mining) issues may be present on a Site. The report utilises historic maps, geological information, landfill maps etc. as well as a site walkover to put together a ‘conceptual model’ of the site which allows a Preliminary Risk Assessment (PRA) to be achieved.

The findings of the report detailed in the PRA and conceptual model(s) will highlight issues on site which need to be addressed pre-development and specify the requirements for site investigation works which will be detailed within a Phase 2 Environmental Site Investigation Report. This report is typically a document required for all planning applications.

The cost of these reports is typically between £750 ex VAT to £2000 ex VAT but can vary subject to size and complexity of the site.