Erection of a Commercial / Residential Building, Cannon Street, Preston
Case Study Reference: 16-11-06
Planning Authority: Preston City Counci
Planning Reference: 06/2016/1240
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 usi
ng a combination of Ordnance Survey (O.S.) maps, street level imagery and aerial plates, this revealed the site was developed prior to the 1849 map and was occupied buy a number of buildings associated with the ‘Mechanines Institution’. The site was redeveloped between 1938 and 1957 when a single building was identified.
Street level imagery confirmed the building on the site comprised of a number of commercial units.
A number of potentially contaminative land uses were identified off site, including a gas works, smithy and a foundry.
The planning history of the site was reviewed, no salient information was obtained.
Data provided by regulatory bodies identified an electricity substation on the eastern boundary as well as a garage to the north and the gasworks identified on the O.S. maps.
On completion of the desk based research a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the site was occupied by four retail units.
On completion of the walkover survey 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 given that given the absence of any external areas the only plausible pollution linkages were associated with building fabric, water mains and construction workers.
It was proposed that water mains were to be specified as barrier pipe and soils in direct contact with foundations were subject to chemical analysis to ensure suitable concrete was used.
The report was submitted alongside the application, the recommendations in the report was accepted and the condition partly discharged.
