Erection of a Replacement Detached Dwelling, Homeway, Romford

Case Study Reference: 13-06-02

Planning Authority: London Borough of Havering

Planning Reference: P1363.12 and Q0094.13

Synopsis:

Given the sensitive nature of the development (residential) and the history of the site 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 the site was undeveloped until circa when a dwelling was present on the site, three in-filled ponds were noted within 250m of the site.

Street level imagery confirmed the site was occupied by a single story dwelling.

The planning history of the site was reviewed as part of the desk based research, a withdrawn application for the erection of a replacement dwelling from May 2012 was noted, the reports associated with any previous application were located and studied, no salient information was obtained.

The published geological maps identified that the London Clay will be exposed at the surface.

Data provided by regulatory bodies did not provide any salient information.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by a a single story dwelling and associated gardens.

The documented geology was confirmed during the site walkover survey when two hand held trial pits were excavated to 0.3mbgl, no made ground was recorded in either position.

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 there were no credible sources of contamination (the hand held trial pits demonstrated made ground was absent) and no further works were proposed.

The report was submitted (Q0094.13) to discharge the contaminated land planning condition, the report was accepted and condition discharged.