Reports for planning applications

If you are submitting a planning application for a new residential dwelling it is likely that the Local Planning Authority will impose a condition that:

“No development shall take place on site until a full survey of the site has taken place to determine the extent of contamination of the land and the results together with any remedial works necessary have been agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

This can usually be addressed by a “Phase 1 Contamination Assessment”. This requires a review of the site’s history, a search of environmental databases and a visual inspection of the site to determine whether there is likely to be a risk of contamination.

Requirements

The Local Authority is normally particular about the standard of the report, and many will not accept Environmental Reports that are based purely on the post code. A visual inspection of the site (often referred to as a site walkover survey) must be carried out.

Expertise

Contamination Reports South West is based in Devon and provides Phase 1 Contamination Risk Assessments to the standards required by the Local Authorities. Our principal engineer has 14 years experience in the assessment of contaminated land and has worked for a number of major consulting engineers and meet the requirements of local authorities for undertaking contaminated land assessments. Reports have been submitted in support of planning applications to most of the Local Authorities in the South West, including South Hams, Teignbridge, Plymouth and Cornwall.

Cost

The fee for a basic site is £495 and reports can usually be provided within a week, depending on the size of your development.