Erection of Vehicle Maintenance and Welfare Offices at South Essex Crematorium

Case Study Reference: 09-09-01

Planning Authority: London Borough of Havering

Planning Reference: https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20034/planning/116/planning_searches/2 and https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=P0906.09&from=planningSearch

Synopsis:

Given the potential for the site to be impacted by elevated levels of contamination a contaminated land planning condition was attached to the decision notice.

 

The first part of the condition required the preparation for a desk study report in order to assess the potential issues that may be present.

A desk study report reviews the history of the site (O.S. maps, aerial plates etc.) and its surrounds as well as information held by regulatory bodies.

The review of the Ordnance Survey maps indicated the site was open land until the crematorium was built (an internet search revealed the crematorium opened in 1957).

Whilst the geotechnical site investigation report submitted with the application was insufficient to discharge the contaminated land planning condition (no desk study report, chemical analysis or sufficient gas monitoring in line with guidance) it did provide additional information on the ground conditions.

On completion of the desk based element a site walkover survey was undertaken, this revealed that the development area comprised on two glass houses mobile office and a brick building used for plant/chemical storage. The development area formed part of South Essex Crematorium.

The geotechnical information from the previous reports for the development site was used to further refine the preliminarily conceptual model, and whilst a number of potential sources of contaminated were identified, the risk assessment discounted all potential sources.

The desk study report was accepted by the local authority and the condition was discharged. The desk study report can be accessed via the planning portal (identified as ‘Supporting Statement Monday October 12, 2009’)