Environmental Risk Assessments: Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4

Most new developments are now required to undergo a Phase 1 Desktop Environmental Study and Walkover Survey. This usually takes place at the initial planning stage, and is often placed as a condition on the development. The report begins with a visit to the site, followed by a thorough examination of the site history and its current use.  From the data collected, our GeoEnvironmental Surveyors and Engineers then determine any requirement for site investigations.

The Phase 2 report identifies and quantifies risks from contamination which may affect the site, and makes recommendations and where possible offers options for dealing with those risks. We design a series of investigations specific to each individual site that may include soil tests, water tests, trial pits and exploratory drilling.

From these results we build up a true picture of any structural and contamination risks found on the site.

The Phase 3 report sets out a more detailed plan of what needs to be done to effectively remediate the site and enable your development to proceed safely. The Phase 3 is prepared taking into account the final site layout.

The Phase 4 report requires an inspection of the remedial works (and photos which you can take yourself) to ensure they have been carried out in accordance with the plan, and concludes with the issuing of Certificate of Remediation - a verification certificate which meets the requirements of the Local Authority and NHBC certification guidelines.

We are an ISO 9001 registered company with decades of local and regional experience in producing these types of reports.

For futher reading, we recommend Cornwall Local Authorities publications Guidance on the Redevelopment of Potentially Contaminated Sites and Certifying soil as “clean” for use in land remediation