Desk Studies
Principle Services Summary
- Detailed desk study to determine relevant historic, physical, geological and geo-environmental factors.
- Site walkovers for reconnaissance and inspection
- Investigative research with owners and local authority
- Regulatory consultation
- Conceptual site models, both text and graphical, to assess potential contamination transfer through Sources, Pathways and Receptors
The usual starting point for any project is commissioning a detailed desk study to provide an overview of the site and its current and historic characteristics.
- Desk Studies have a clear role to play when conducting pre-acquisition or due diligence surveys, as for a small upfront investment, an initial site evaluation can provide useful information which provides a factual basis for further investigation. Desk Studies may flag up potential risks or conversely can serve to remove any concerns about financial or environmental liabilities arising from residual contamination of either soils or groundwater.
- Understanding the ground conditions at the start of a project is important for a number of reasons. In addition to potential contamination risks which could affect realisable land and development values, a detailed understanding of the soil type and characteristics can help reduce or prevent project delays or escalating development costs due to unforeseen requirements.
- They remain an extremely cost effective way of pulling together all the available background material on a site for early review, as well as preparing the way to identify objectives for a high quality site investigation if required. We are able to access a high level of information through both in-house and commercial databases from which conclusions can be drawn and advice offered before deciding the detailed requirements for an invasive site investigation. In many cases this can save our clients both time and money.
- A detailed examination of site geology will provide a good insight into the quality of the ground, and identify potential problems with soil stability or local ground conditions. Suitability of ground conditions can then be assessed against the requirements for a development, and geotechnical and environmental testing programmes designed accordingly. Understanding the geology is of major significance in deciding whether the site is fit for purpose, and can provide valuable insight into the options available for the design of foundations and structures.
- As part of this process we also examine records from previous site investigations within the area, both from the British Geological Survey and from our own extensive archive. Mining data for the area – if present and relevant-is also reviewed, as are other potential subsidence factors such as subterranean features and geoenvironmental factors such as the groundwater regime and any potential contamination receptors which may be at risk from pollutants.
- The previous history of the site is also examined in detail, as this can be predictive of residual pollution from industrial contamination. These findings will then often be used to design an onsite testing and monitoring programme, together with subsequent recommendations for ground remediation if required. Desk Studies frequently reveal ‘hidden’ hazards, such as mining activity, landfill, historic contamination, and potential issues with ground gas or radon.
- We use 2D and 3D CAD technology to produce detailed overlays, incorporating historical maps, aerial photographs, and topographical survey data accurately located using GPS and OS coordinates. This gives extremely useful composite thematic maps of the site showing all of the relevant data. Geological, hydro-geological and both current and historical site services data can also be incorporated to give a comprehensive picture prior to any intrusive investigation.
- Understanding the nature of the site, together with any potential hazards allows us to produce risk assessments for our client and assess the need for further investigation or treatment of the site prior to its sale or development by the end user.
- We conduct desk studies for clients ranging in size from the single house builder to large scale developers, and these can usually be turned round within a few days.
- Local Planning or Contaminated Land Officers will usually require a desk study to be completed before signing off any development proposals, therefore a good quality study can help speed up planning approval.
