Collington Winter Environmental
Site Condition Assessment for Developments
Call For an Initial Discussion
01204 939 608
Or Send a Message
When conducting a transaction for a property or land holding, a party may require a document detailing any environmental risks or liabilities of the site alongside a property condition assessment. An environmental permit may also be needed if the site is used for an activity that could pollute the air, land or water.
As part of the application for an environmental permit, you may be required to prove that your business has not or will not impact local soils or groundwater. A site condition assessment may therefore be needed in order to provide evidence.
Site condition assessments are required for any designated site under the Environmental Permitting Regulations if there is a significant risk to groundwater or the land surrounding it. This assessment records the condition of the land or groundwater at specific points in time and will help to demonstrate that your development has not impacted the land or groundwater during the lifetime of your activities.
Land contamination is also taken into consideration within UK planning policy and can determine whether a site is granted planning permission or not. Therefore, a site condition assessment can assist alongside a planning application.
Undertaking a Site Condition Report
Phase 1 environmental site assessment – A phase 1 environmental site assessment report is the first step to be taken when completing a site condition assessment. When compiling this report, our ecologists undertake a detailed review of pertinent information from sources including the Ordanance Survey, Environment Agency, the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Defra. This allows us to gain a picture of the previous land use on and around the site and provides an indication of the potential for impacts on groundwater and soil in the area.
A site reconnaissance visit, as well as a non-intrusive environmental survey, is typically undertaken to identify any visual or olfactory evidence of contamination at the site. It also highlights any risks from sources such as underground storage tanks and noting practices such as refuelling and chemical use.
Following a phase 1 environmental assessment, the ecologist conducting it will use the information that has been gathered to provide a rating that will show the level of risk that the site may have on the surrounding environment and biodiversity.
Phase 2 environmental site assessment – A phase 2 environmental site assessment is typically required when the phase 1 assessment and ecologist have indicated that the site may have the potential to contaminate a protected area. This assessment includes gathering samples of water or soil at the site to test for environmental contamination or hazardous materials.
A phase 2 environmental site assessment is used to determine whether contamination exists on the site. If this assessment finds that contamination does in fact exist, mitigation methods must be taken in order to counteract this.
It is essential that both phase 1 and 2 site assessments are undertaken by an experienced ecologist to provide the most accurate results.
How can Collington Winter assist with site condition assessments?
Collington Winter are passionate about ecology and provide a holistic and innovative approach to development. We are fast paced problem solvers, working with clients to find solutions where others cannot.
Our team have vast amounts of experience in providing ecological services, including environmental site condition assessments.
We provide a pragmatic service offering to the residential, commercial and minerals sectors nationwide. We understand the importance of working closely with clients to provide a great service and deliver excellent results. We aim to provide a service which meets the needs of developers, whilst ensuring positive outcomes for wildlife.
We also offer landscape management services and mitigation.
Registered Office
4 Bark Street East, 1st Floor, Bolton
BL1 2BQ
Phone
01204 939 608
info@collingtonwinter.co.uk