Project Aims
IKM was approached by a client to provide a Phase 1 contaminated land assessment to satisfy conditions of a planning decision notice from City of Edinburgh Council. The development site was a former paper mill, and the proposed development plan was for the construction of detached houses with private gardens.
Our agreed scope of works was:
- Purchase and review of the historical maps for the site
- Undertake site walkover
- Review third party ground investigation (GI) information
- Develop a preliminary conceptual site model (CSM)
- Prepare Phase 1 desk study report.
Strategy Employed
The Phase 1 desk study reviewed the site history, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology and flooding, radon risk, utilities, unexploded ordnance, invasive non-native species, archaeology and built heritage, off-site/ on-site contamination sources and land uses in proximity to the site. IKM also reviewed third-party ground investigation reports undertaken on the site which suggested there was limited made ground present on the site. This information was used to produce a preliminary conceptual site model and contaminated land risk assessment for the site.
The desk study identified that it was possible that made ground below the site was acting as a potential risk to human health of future site users from anticipated sources of contamination and it was recommended that a ground investigation was undertaken to confirm the nature and extent of contamination and if a pollutant linkage was present.
Likewise, the made ground could be acting as a potential source of contamination and present a potential risk to the water environment. It was recommended that a ground investigation was undertaken to determine if this was a potential pollutant linkage.
The made ground could also present a risk to property such as to concrete foundations or to water supply pipes. As such a ground investigation and appropriate risk assessment was recommended to determine the risk to property.
A Phase 2 investigation was then designed and carried out to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.
