Via East Midlands provides a range of geo-environmental services including geo-technical and environmental design, implementation, and project management offering cost-effective site assessments and ground investigations.
Our Geo-Environmental Services:
Our wide-ranging services span from phase 1 desk studies, phase 2 site investigations, remediation options appraisal/design. This comprehensive service is designed to provide cost-effective engineering.
What we Offer:
• Phase 1 Desk Study
• Phase 2 Site Investigation and Reporting
• Coal Mining Risk Assessments
• Remediation Options Appraisal and Remediation Strategy Reporting
• Remediation Supervision & verification. Validation works including cover system validation and gas membrane inspections and long-term monitoring
• Due Diligence Reporting & Assessment for land acquisition / divestment
• Land appraisals
• Foundation zoning plans and schedules
• Foundation inspections. – Usually tie in with the zoning plan and schedule above
• Groundwater Risk Assessment
• Waste Classification and Reporting
• Planning Advice in relation to contaminated land, including Environmental Impact Assessments
Phase 1 Desk Study
A Phase 1 Desk Study is often required for a proposed development as part of planning conditions set out by the Local Authority in which the land is situated. The Phase 1 Desk Study collates appropriate published information relating to the site such as the sites current and historical use alongside the geological and environmental setting. The information gathered is then used to undertake a preliminary risk assessment to establish whether there are any potential unacceptable risks to receptors, such as humans, controlled waters and ecological receptors arising from contamination at the site. The risk assessment will then be used to plan any subsequent stages of site investigation to quantify the risk.
Phase 2 Site Investigation and Reporting
The Phase II investigation typically follows on from the Phase I Desk Study to investigate the identified potential contaminant linkages and develop the preliminary risk assessment. The Phase II intrusive investigation involves collection and subsequent laboratory analysis of environmental samples to quantify any risk to the identified receptors identified during the Phase 1 Desk Study.
The investigation would also usually incorporate a geotechnical assessment to gather parameters to inform subsequent foundation design.
Ground gas monitoring and a preliminary ground gas risk assessment is also often carried out as part of a Phase 2 investigation to inform on future ground gas protection design.
VIA have extensive experience in undertaking and managing various types of investigation techniques and to utilise the most appropriate and cost-effective technique depending on site conditions. These include:
- Window Sampling
- Cable Percussion Drilling
- Rotary Drilling.
- Dynamic Probing.
- Trial Pitting.
- Laboratory testing (external) and interpretation of results.
- Ground gas monitoring.
The verification report will generally be required for submission to the local planning authority to discharge any land conditions.
Land Appraisals
Via can undertake land appraisal services utilising and reviewing existing information obtained from Phase 1 and Phase 2 Investigation Reports, flood risk assessments etc on behalf of the client. In doing so, this can identify any potential issues associated with future purchase and redevelopment of the site.
The land appraisal should also identify the requirement for any further phases of investigation if required to assist in future redevelopment of the land. In all cases we focus on fully understanding the details of the land and can provide guidance on how to maximise the commercial return.
Waste Classification
Waste generated during construction work may include excess soil from excavations and any contaminated soils that will need to be removed from the site. For disposal to landfill, the waste should be classified into three main types: inert; non-hazardous; and hazardous wastes.
Via can offer Waste Classification in accordance with WM3 using Hazwaste Online. This can be undertaken using existing site-based investigation laboratory data or VIA can undertake sample recovery and laboratory analysis of materials to be disposed of from site followed by subsequent waste classification. Via ca also give advice on any additional investigation or analysis required to inform waste disposal.
Environmental Due Diligence Reporting & Assessment
Environmental due diligence involves determining the potential and existing environmental risks of a commercial or industrial property. The findings of an environmental due diligence report can influence the overall purchase price of the property and inform on any risks and liabilities associated with ownership.
Coal Mining Risk Assessment
If your site is in a Development High Risk Area (DHRA) as determined by the Coal Authority, you will need to submit a Coal Mining Risk Assessment to your Local Planning Authority. The aim of a Coal Mining Risk Assessment is to identify site specific coal mining risks and set out the proposed mitigation strategy to show that the site can be made safe and stable for the development being proposed.
If you are submitting a planning application in a Development Low Risk Area (DLRA) then there is no statutory requirement to submit a Coal Mining Risk Assessment. However, it is worth noting that the proposed development still lies within a coal mining area which may contain unrecorded coal mining related hazards.
Remediation Options Appraisal and Remediation Strategy Reporting
Should the Phase 2 intrusive investigation identify any unacceptable risk that needs to be managed then a remediation options appraisal and remediation strategy report will be required.
The first stage is to establish an appropriate remediation option or combination of options. A remediation option is a means of reducing or controlling the risks associated with a relevant pollutant linkage (RPL) to an acceptable level.
From the options appraisal, the most feasible remediation option or combined options to mitigate the risks associated with the relevant pollutant linkages (RPLs) will have been identified. This will then be documented within a remediation strategy (RS) report which can be agreed be agreed, implemented and verified in practice.
Remediation Supervision & Verification
VIA have extensive experience in managing and validating various types of remediation works.
Remediation verification is the process of ‘verifying’ that the remediation objectives and criteria have been met. Verification typically involves site inspections to ensure implementation of any physical barriers such as gas membranes or cover systems have been installed. Verification can also include supervision of remediation works throughout and during key points throughout the remediation process. This may also involve supervising the excavation of soils impacted with contamination. Verification in the form of environmental sampling within excavations or treated areas will also be required in this instance to demonstrate that successful remediation has been achieved and that any remaining material meets the agreed specification.
On certain projects, verification may also require continued monitoring during the works or long term continued monitoring after the project is completed to demonstrate that natural attenuation is taking place.
On completion of the remediation project a final verification report should be issued, providing a record of the remediation works undertaken and any relevant data collected through sampling, monitoring, inspection or supervision works undertaken.