Detached Dwelling on Land Adjacent to 80 Canal Road, Congleton, Cheshire

In order to discharge the first part of the condition a Phase I desk study report was required.  A desk study report assesses the potential for a site to be impacted by elevated levels of contamination rising form historical uses of both the site and the surrounds.

The history of the site and the surrounds were researched using a combination of O.S. maps, aerial plates and street level imagery. This revealed the site was developed prior to the first edition O.S. map and was occupied by dwellings until circa 1976.

A number of ponds and brick pit were identified within 250mof the site as well as a number of mills.

Information provided by regulatory bodies did not identify any other potential issues.

On completion of the desk based assessment a site walkover survey was undertaken, the is revealed the site to be an open parcel of sloping land.

Made ground was identified in the hand held trial pits excavated as part of the walkover survey.

On completion of the walkover survey a qualitative risk assessment was undertaken and this concluded that there were no credible off site sources of contamination, the made ground on site was the remaining potential source.

Given that the site levels would be lowered as part of the development, it was proposed that any made ground should be removed from the site, removing the made ground as a potential source.

A new planning application was submitted in 2010 (10/0558C), and the desk study report was submitted as part of the new application (the desk study report can be accessed here).

The proposals within the desk study report were approved and the condition discharged.