Conversion of Barn to Dwelling, St Neots Road, Dry Drayton, Cambridge, CB23

Case Study Reference: 14-03-17

Planning Authority: South Cambridgeshire District Council

Planning Reference: S/0162/14/FL and S/0817/14/DC

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 O.S. maps revealed that the site was initially developed circa 1901 when the eastern area of the site was occupied by a building, a number of in-filled ponds were identified within 250m of the site.

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

Data provided by regulatory bodies confirmed the presence of a pond 148m east of the site.

On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by a two story barn being used as a livery and kitchen area.

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 none of the potential sources identified posed a risk to the end users and based on this no further works were proposed.

The desk study report was submitted (S/0817/14/DC) in order to discharge the contaminated land planning condition.

The memo from the contaminated land officer confirmed the report was accepted and the condition discharged.