Contaminated Land Risk Management

Risk Management for Contaminated Land

Brownfield sites, previously developed land and areas near historic landfill or mine workings are capable of containing harmful substances. If left untreated, it could result in significant risks to controlled waters, human health and the wider environment. Not only that, but the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Part 2a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 insist on adequate management if a development is being carried out.

Pollutants from hazardous ground gases, contaminated soil and groundwater contamination can be dangerous, causing short or long-term harm to people and natural assets they come into contact with. Due to this, planning conditions from local planning authorities insist on sufficient management to check that an affected planning project remains compliant, safe and sustainable. Ongoing support is available in the form of contaminated land risk management.

What is Contaminated Land Risk Management?

Contaminated land risk management is a process for addressing the potential impact of the risks posed to a development site by land contamination. A geo-environmental consultant will produce mitigation measures to cater to any and all concerns from materials present, such as regulatory compliance documentation, remediation strategies and post-remediation monitoring.

A prior contaminated land risk assessment will uncover hazardous substances that could cause an unacceptable risk to humans, wildlife, ecosystems, soils, wetlands, and controlled waters such as drinking water supplies, groundwater and surface water. Managing risks will then be possible via land risk management, allowing development proposals to proceed safely.

Requirement for Risk Management

At any point that a contaminated land risk assessment points out pollutants that could significantly impact a development site and the people, wildlife or environment within it, contaminated land risk management will be needed. The level of detail around managing proven contaminants is a vital part of maintaining land quality and avoiding environmental harm/statutory liability.

Alternatively, risk management could be necessary for development proposals set in areas of groundwater pollution, mining sites or particular sensitivity to surface water. It would also be a likely part of urban regeneration schemes, the redevelopment of polluted sites, and any different requirements set by the local authorities, the Environment Agency or another applicable regulator.

Applicable Clients

Meeting remedial targets is possible as long as the management plan reduces potential risks, checks mitigation measures against quantitative risk assessments, and works out if any further surveys are necessary as a result of the change to site conditions. It should also address any associated assumptions from the initial preliminary risk assessment and intrusive investigation.

Read more about the production of a land risk management plan in the space below:

Contaminated Land Risk Management Evaluation

1. Review of Risk Assessment Outcomes

Reading through and analysing the results from the preliminary risk assessment, generic quantitative risk assessment (GQRA), detailed quantitative risk assessment (DQRA) and other surveys in the risk assessment process.

2. Creation of Risk Management Strategy

Tailoring a strategy to the specific site conditions based on the site-specific assessment criteria, generic assessment criteria and any confirmed contaminant linkage.

3. Implementation of Mitigation Measures

Suggesting suitable measures, such as capping, soil removal, installation of ground gas protection or groundwater treatment.

4. Verification and Monitoring

Using validation sampling, post-remediation monitoring and reporting to the local planning authorities and the Environment Agency to manage the site.

5. Ongoing Compliance and Documentation

Continuing review of the site to ensure it complies with planning conditions and mitigates the potential impact on such things as drinking water supplies, ecosystems and surface water.

Essential Concerns

In the risk-based approach for the management of contaminated land, the essential concerns for the geo-environmental consultant carrying out the inspection include:

• Account of potential liabilities – effect on controlled waters or neighbouring properties
• Consideration of long-term stewardship – use of post-remediation monitoring and validation
• Details of the site – whether it involves brownfield areas, greenfield areas or a mix of the two
• Several reasons for risk management – environmental, regulatory or planning pressure
• Timing of project – many cases of planning ahead, reducing costs, delays and the chance of failure

Contaminated Land Risk Management Strategy

With the process complete, a contamination land risk management strategy can be created to indicate the next steps. The primary aim of the strategy is to outline how the development will be able to continue without endangering humans, controlled waters and the environment.

For instance, a strategy would generally include a summary of results from the earlier site investigation, including ground gas assessments and land risk assessments, as well as information around heavy metals and other identified hazardous substances. It will also include a timetable of current site activities, a list of potential liabilities and health risks alongside agreed sufficient solutions, records of historical mapping, and the confirmed methods for measuring and verifying success.

The completed land contamination strategy should then be submitted to the local planning authority along with the planning application, as it will include enough information to remove any remaining concerns and give the planning officer every reason to give the go-ahead.

Professionals in Contaminated Land Risk Management

We provide clients with a full spectrum of land risk assessments and management solutions to benefit both greenfield and brownfield sites. In everything we do, we guarantee compliance, safety and long-term viability, addressing human health, controlled waters and site-specific sensitivities to ensure that no unacceptable risk remains.

Based on past work, we’ve created a proven track record for delivering complex risk-based land strategies that meet local authority and Environment Agency standards, as well as the parameters set by Part 2a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. By signing our team up for groundbreaking training courses, we ensure that we’re up to date with new and effective ways of dealing with contaminated land.

Contaminated Land Risk Management Near Me

If you need help with contaminated land risk management and a strategy that will ensure your development isn’t hindered by harmful substances, speaking to our team would be the best route to take. We possess extensive experience in helping developers, planning consultants and local authorities across the UK with issues caused by contaminated land, even if it simply means confirming that it poses no threats to the environment or people in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.

All of our services are made as cost-effective as possible by pricing up the necessary solutions based on the specifications of the site and project, and situating geo-environmental consultants in all parts of the country. You can completely bypass any uncertainty by speaking with our team on our contact page, calling us or emailing us, and allowing us to create a free quote using your details. At that point, we will be able to decide what services are best suited and plan a date to get started.