Change of use of an Agricultural Building to a Dwellinghouse
Case Study Reference: 15-07-12
Planning Authority: Lancaster City Council
Planning Reference: 15/00995/PAA
Synopsis:
In order to demonstrate that after the development the site could not be classified as ‘contaminated land’ under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act a Phase I desk study report was required to support the application for the erection of a dwelling. The site was occupied by an agricultural building, the past use of the site have the potential to impact site soils.
A Phase I desk study report assess the potential for a site to be impacted by contamination, this is undertaken by researching the history of the site and the surrounds as well as a review of information held by regulatory bodies and a site visit.
The history of the site and surrounds were researched using a combin
ation of Ordnance Survey (O.S.) maps, street level imagery and aerial plates, this revealed the site was developed prior to the 1846 map, a building was identified on the western boundary, a tank was noted on the site on the 1932 map with the site been redeveloped prior to the 1970 map. A number of ponds were noted in close proximity to the site.
The planning history of the site was reviewed, this revealed no salient information.
The published geological maps identified the drift soils as Till which was underlain by sandstone.
Data provided by regulatory bodies confirmed the presence of a tank on the site.
On completion of the desk based research a s
ite reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by two agricultural buildings.
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 based on the client confirming the tank identified on the O.S. maps was a water tank that there was no credible sources of contamination and based on this the report concluded that no further works were warranted. The proposals were accepted and a contaminated land planning condition was not attached to the decision notice.
Demeter Environmental weer commissioned to prepare a desk study report to support the application for the proposed development.
The review of the environmental data and O.S maps did not identify any potential sources of contamination, which was confirmed by the walkover survey, hence the report concluded that no further works were required.
