Contaminated land
Apple Environmental recognises the need for a simple way forward in determining the contaminative status of land.
Land contamination has become an important environmental issue since 1995 with the development of the contaminated land regime (set out in part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990). It was introduced in England on 1st April 2000 and on 1st July 2001 in Wales.
When may you be asked to undertake a contaminated land assessment?
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Local authorities can place conditions on planning permission requiring that developers investigate land contamination and, where it is found, clean it up to a standard where it is considered that there is no risk to future users of the site, controlled waters or environmentally sensitive habitats.
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Under the contaminated land regime investigation may also be enforced by the local authority or Environment Agency even if a site is not being redeveloped, but is causing, or has the potential to cause, significant harm.
What are land contamination investigations?
Soil and land contaminated investigation is undertaken in two steps;
The principal aim of a Phase I environmental report is to gather the information needed to form a conceptual model in order to be in a position to assess the presence and/or significance of any land contamination on site. The resultant information then enables a preliminary risk assessment to be carried out.
This is an intrusive site investigation enabling the soil profile to be logged after which samples of soil and groundwater may be collected for chemical analysis. Risk is then assessed in order to determine the potential for harm to receptors both on and off-site from known contaminants.
Apple Environmental will develop a land contamination strategy that is best suited for your needs. Through conversing with the regulators we ensure that the investigation is undertaken to the standard required whilst conidering cost-effectiveness at all stages.