Do I need a Phase 1 Desk Study?

If you are planning to develop a site you will generally need to complete a Phase 1 Desk Study.

A Phase 1 Desktop Study is a preliminary risk assessment that highlights the potential areas of concern of developing on the proposed site. The report will collate and review a wide range of published information about the specific site to gain detailed information of the development site’s historical, geological and environmental location.

Phase 1 Desk studies are also known as:

Phase 1 Desktop Study
Phase 1 Desktop Report
Phase 1 Contamination Report
Preliminary Risk Assessment
Phase 1 Geo-Environmental Study
Phase 1 Ground Investigation

When is a Phase 1 Desktop Report Required?

The Phase 1 Desktop Report can be completed as part of the Due Diligence property transaction process, i.e. before you purchase the site/property. The report will inform you of the associated risks involved with the specific development site and can also highlight what further site investigations will be required and if necessary the remediation steps that may be needed.

A Phase 1 Desk Report is a prudent step to ensure you are fully aware of all the potential risks involved before you purchase a site. Having an understanding of any potential contaminants, unstable ground conditions, potential flooding issues, etc before you purchase is a wise move to ensure there are no unknown issues that could prove costly and not budgeted for.
A preliminary risk assessment from a phase 1 Desk Study can help to determine if a development scheme is viable.

A Phase 1 Desk Study can also be completed once you have acquired the site /property. Frequently Phase 1 Desk Studies are completed not just to inform the developer of the risks, but also to satisfy requirements of different regulatory bodies, e.g. Planning Departments, Environmental Health Departments, the Environment Agency, Building Control Departments, and National House Building Council (NHBC).

How much does a Phase 1 Desk Study cost?

At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we offer a fixed price Phase 1 Desktop Study report.

Phase 1 GeoEnvironmental Desk study — With a site walkover survey — £800 +VAT
We offer a fixed price of £800 + VAT for a Comprehensive Desk Study. This includes a site walkover survey of a site that is less than 5 hectares in size.

Phase I GeoEnvironmental Desk study — Without a site walkover survey — £550 +VAT
A Basic Phase 1 Desk Study report without a site walkover survey would be provided for a fixed price of £550 +VAT
You can order on line here

or contact us to discuss your specific development site needs.

What is involved with a Phase 1 Desktop Report?

A Phase 1 Desk Study should be completed before any ground investigation works commence and should ideally be completed with a site walkover.

At Earth Environmental our Phase 1 Desk Study Reports have a 3 step approach.
Comprehensive review of the details of the development proposal
Detailed appraisal of the risk and hazards posed by environmental and geotechnical conditions of the proposed development site
Collation of all the information to produce the interpretive report

Each Phase 1 Desktop Report will provide comprehensive datasets for full details of what is included and what information is reviewed Click Here

The report gathers information from an extensive range of documents and may include:

Historical Maps
Service Search
Unexploded Bombs (UXO)
Local Authority Search
Petroleum Licensing record of fuel tanks/spills
Geological Maps, Memoirs and Specialist Reports
Previous Site Investigation Information including reports and boreholes
River/Sea/Groundwater Flood Maps
Radon Potential
Soil Quality Mapping
BGS Geochemistry Data
HSE records of abandoned metalliferous mines
MAFF records for burial pits
Brine Subsidence
Aerial Photographs
Active/Closed Landfill Sites
Mining Report including Shafts/Adits and Mineworkings
Ecological Geographical Based Systems
Local Library Archive Records
National Monument Records
Water Discharge Consents
Pollution Incidents
Previous Planning Applications
Contamination Land Regulations Status
Hydrogeological maps and aquifer status
Surface and groundwater abstractions

What information is gathered will depend on the sites location and history.

For example Coal Mining reports may not need to be included if the site is located in a non Mining area.

If you are considering purchasing a site or property for development, or own land you plan to develop please contact Earth Environmental & Geotechnical to discuss our services and how we can help