Project Estate

Our client required expert support during the acquisition of a residential estate following an initial high-level survey which revealed potential environmental risks relating to the site. To address the client’s concerns whilst minimising costs and delays, our team devised a specialist approach and solution.

Challenge

An initial high-level acquisition survey provided by the client’s team revealed a potential moderate-high risk associated with contamination at the site. Our client appointed us to support them in providing a solution for further works to assess the contaminative risk, and to provide recommendations whilst minimising costs and reporting within a three working day timeframe.

Solution

We reviewed the initial high-level survey and established that the risk was associated with a historical industrial process at the site. However, the client reported the site was redeveloped within the last 10–15 years.

Drawing on our thorough understanding of the requirements under the planning regime, our team developed an efficient approach. An initial phone consultation with the local authority planning development established that a scheme of ground investigation was undertaken as part of the planning application for the site’s redevelopment from industrial to residential use. To minimise delays, we requested the site investigations from the vendor’s team. Reviewing the documentation enabled us to accurately assess the actual environmental risk associated with the historical operations, allowing us to provide comfort to the purchaser on any on-going environmental liabilities.