Residential Development, Reading Road, Woodcote, South Oxfordshire

Case Study Reference: 10-08-02

Planning Authority: South Oxfordshire District Council

Planning Reference: P11/E0434 and P11/E0966/DIS

Synopsis:

In order to demonstrate the proposed development was feasible and would not be classified as ‘contaminated land’ under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 a desk study report was required to support the application.

A desk study report assess the potential for a site to be impacted by historical contamination using a variety of sources including Ordnance Survey maps, data held by regulators (Environment Agency, local authority, British Geological Survey etc.)

The history of the site was reviewed using a combination of historical O.S. maps, aerial plates and street level imagery. The review revealed the site was open land until circa 1959 and the 1962 map identified the current dwelling and two small out buildings. Three ponds and a garage were noted in close proximity to the site.

Data provided by regulators identified the garage 45m north east of the site.

On completion of the desk based assessment a site walkover survey was undertaken, this revelled the site comprised of a dwelling, associated gardens and three wooden sheds.

As part of the walkover survey a number of hand held boreholes were sunk using an auger in order to obtain details of surficial soils. No evidence of made ground was recorded.

On completion of the walkover survey a qualitative rsk assessment was undertaken on the potential source of contamination that were identified in the desk study report, this concluded that there were no credible sources of contamination and concluded that no further works were required.

 

 

The report can be accessed through the supporting documents associate with the initial application with both the report and letter accepting the report with P11/E0966/DIS