Ground Investigation & Flood Risk Services

A small developer commissioned REC to undertake a geoenvironmental assessment and a flood risk assessment for an industrial development site in order to satisfy the regulatory requirements.

• REC initially conducted an environmental desk study, and this found that historically, the site was used as a transport yard, with a nearby landfill site and situated within a large industrial area.

• An intrusive investigation was designed and implemented by REC. The investigation was undertaken with a view to minimise costs to the client and to be undertaken in agreement with the regulatory authorities.

• The site investigation identified minor TPH contamination of the groundwater but no evidence of significant contamination within the soils.

• Information obtained as part of the environmental desk study identified pollution incidents to controlled waters located hydraulically up-gradient of the site, thus REC demonstrated that the site was not the source of the identified groundwater contamination.

• Ground gas monitoring, undertaken due to the presence of the nearby landfill, showed that no special gas protection measures were required.

• The required background information from the Environment Agency, Local Authority and Sewerage Provider was obtained. REC also organised the necessary site level survey

• REC assessed the site in light of the available information in relation to the regulatory guidance set out in PPS25*

It was determined that the site lay within Environment Agency Flood Risk Zone 3a. Based upon the available information, REC were able to recommend that the proposed development would remain safe throughout the lifetime of the development thus satisfying this part of the Exception Test

* Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25), Development and Flood Risk. Communities and Local Government, 2006.