Replacement Vehicle Showrooms, Congleton Road, Marton, SK11

Case Study Reference: CS20-09-01

Planning Authority: Cheshire East Council

Planning Reference: 18/3211M and 21/6193D

Synopsis:

As part of the application the contaminated land team were consulted on the application and the potential for the site to pose a risk to human health, as the site had been used as a garage a contaminated land planning condition was attached to the decision notice.

The first stage of discharging the contaminated land planning condition  as to prepare a Phase I desk study report, this assesses the potential for a site to be impacted by using a wide range of sources including Ordnance Survey maps, information provided by regulators (Environment Agency, local authority, Coal Authority, BGS etc.).

The history of the site and the surrounds was researched using a combination of historical O.S. maps, aerial plates and street level imagery. Initially the site formed part of an open parcel of land, the site was developed between 1949 and 1970 when the northern area of the site was occupied by ‘The Mere Garage’.

A reviewed of street level imagery confirmed the northern area of the site was occupied by a vehicle dealership and a conservatory business with the southern area being open land

A review of the planning history of the site identified several previous applications, the past use of the site as an Isuzu dealership and a conservatory company were noted.

The recorded geology was given as Glaciolacustrine Deposits across the site with Devensian Till on the north western corner of the site. The bedrock was given as the Sidmouth Mudstone Formation

Tidal Flat deposits underlain Kimmeridge Clay Formation (mudstone) , no borehole records in the public domain were available through the British Geological Survey.

Data provided by regulators identified two ponds to the south west of the site and the site was occupied by a garage.

Once the desk based research had been completed a site reconnaissance visit was undertaken, this confirmed the northern area was used as a dealership with workshops to the rear of the building, the southern area had been stripped, no evidence of made ground was noted.

On completion of the site visit a qualitative risk assessment was undertaken in order to determine which of the potential sources warranted further investigation, this concluded that the past land uses, the made ground on site as well as the past uses of the site posed a potential risk to human health.

As the proposed development was commercial (replacement building) both proposals for an intrusive site investigation and remediation in lieu of investigation was proposed.

The Phase I was submitted under 21/6193D and whilst the report was accepted the option of remediation in lieu of investigation was discounted and additional works within the building were suggested.

Further information was provided via the agent and the updated proposals were accepted.