Development of Residential Garages, March, Cambridgeshire

Case Study Reference: 12-07-05

Planning Authority: Fenland District Council

Planning Reference: F/YR12/0374/F and F/YR12/3086/COND

Synopsis:

Given the sensitive nature of the development (residential) and the history of the site (residential garages) a contaminated land planning condition was attached to the decision notice for the proposed development.

The first stage of discharging the condition was to prepare a Phase I desk study report in order to determine if the site has the potential to be impacted by elevated levels of contamination, and to determine the source as well as the likelihood of the risk occurring.

A desk study determines what issues relating to historical contamination may affect the site, this is undertaken by reviewing the site history using a combination of O.S. maps, aerial, plates and street level imagery, a review of data held by regulatory bodies (Environment Agency, local authority, BGS etc.) as well as a site walkover survey.

The history of the site and surrounds were researched using a combination of Ordnance Survey (O.S.) maps, street level imagery and aerial plates, this revealed that the site was developed prior to the first edition O.S. map when the site was occupied by a number of buildings and a garden area.

A number of potentially contaminative land uses were noted within 250m, including a number of parcels of in-filled land.

The planning history of the site was reviewed, no salient information was obtained.

The published geological maps identified the site as being underlain by the March Gravel formation which in turn was underlain by the Ampthill Clay Formation.

Data provided by regulatory bodies identified a laundrette 25m south of the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site comprised of a commercial unit (fish bar), residential garages and a single storey building.

Once the walkover survey was completed a qualitative risk assessment was undertaken on the potential sources of contamination identified in the desk study report in order to determine if any warranted further investigation, this concluded that the in-filled land in close proximity to the site as well as the potential for made ground  warranted further assessment.

The report concluded that remediation in lieu of further works was appropriate for the site.

The report was submitted (F/YR12/3086/COND) to discharge the condition, the decision notice confirming the report was accepted and the condition partly discharged.