Frequently Asked Questions

A Phase 1 contaminated land assessment (also known as a desk study or Preliminary Risk Assessment) is a desk-based assessment that identifies the potential for contamination and the likelihood of any risk to users of the site. The Phase 1 assessment is especially important for new housing developments. The assessment also considers risk to the wider environment, such as local rivers or groundwater.

A Phase 1 contaminated land assessment is required in various scenarios, including:

Fulfilling planning conditions and site redevelopment
Land and property purchase
Regulatory compliance and due diligence

The essential first step to know if your land is contaminated is to get a Phase 1 contaminated land assessment. The Phase 1 assessment will identify the requirement for subsequent and more detailed assessment (i.e., Phase 2 or site investigation) which may include soil sampling, to determine the actual presence of contamination. Get in touch with Ashfield to arrange a risk report with a quick turnaround.

This can depend on the purpose of acquiring an assessment.

For fulfilling planning conditions:

Site inspection, where deemed necessary
Tailored to the National Planning Policy Framework (‘NPPF’)
Preliminary environmental risk assessment
Risk summary and requirement for further assessment
Coal Mining Authority Report
Follow-up discussion with the Local Planning Authority to ensure smooth approvals

For buying or selling land:

Identification of current site activities with potential to cause environmental harm
Statutory liability under Part 2A EPA 1990
Environmental permitting obligations and associated constraints
Recommendations for ongoing environmental compliance and improvements that may be required
Flood risk screen as standard

Ashfield Solutions typically completes contaminated land assessments within five to seven working days of receiving instruction. We can sometimes complete it faster if needed.

Although it’s highly dependent on the site and project size, a standard Phase 1 contaminated land report will typically cost between £800-£1,500 + VAT. This includes a comprehensive service with a right-first-time approach and we will never recommend further and more expensive site investigation works unless absolutely essential.

In the UK, contaminated land is dealt with under two frameworks: the Planning System and Part 2A of the Contaminated Land Act 1990, making it a legal requirement for responsible parties to identify and address the clean-up of certain contaminants that pose a risk to human or environmental health.

If contamination is found on your land, the next steps will need to be established to ensure associated risks are dealt with. It’s worth reading our guide on who is responsible for contaminated land to see who is involved with identifying and remedying contamination.

Yes, contaminated land can affect the value of property and land.

Our experienced and qualified contaminated land experts have over 20 years of experience working in environmental risk and hold related qualifications, including Chartered Environmentalists.

Having completed hundreds of reports for planners and architects across the UK, we are trusted and respected for our right-first-time approach. In other words, we get the reports and advice you need completed quickly, without trying to sell you unnecessary further work.

Yes, we cover most of the UK, except for Northern Ireland and some parts of Scotland.

Our reports make clear recommendations based on risks that we have identified. When further work is required, we specify the best course of action in your report. Rest assured, we never try to grow projects at our clients’ expense and only recommend further work if essential.

We never leave our clients in the lurch. We pride ourselves on our proactivity in dealing with feedback from the LPA and will provide assistance to get approvals sorted and projects moving quickly.

A flood risk assessment identifies the level of risk from flooding from heavy rainfall or a body of water, typically a river or the sea.

Flood risk assessments are often needed when buying a house, getting planning permission for a new build, or reducing flood risk at a property or business.

Flood risk assessments involve looking into the history and future potential for flooding at a site or property. Ashfield uses the latest and most accurate flood modelling data, with sources including local authority records, council databases, Environment Agency (in England)/Natural Resources Wales (in Wales) models, as well as our own UK-wide, local-scale Flood History Database. Once the likelihood of flooding is established, conclusions and potential mitigation strategies can be recommended.

We’d recommend getting a flood risk assessment when buying a property, especially if it’s located in a known flood zone or mapped risk area. Owning a flood-risk property may cost you more for insurance, so it’s worth checking so you can budget accordingly.

A flood risk assessment considers the likelihood of flooding in a specific area. It factors in if the property or land is located in a flood zone/risk area or if there is any known history of previous flooding.

With Ashfield, a flood risk assessment can typically be turned around in as little as 5 to 10 days for planning or 3 to 5 days if you’re a homebuyer.

If your property is at risk of flooding, a flood resilience report can provide strategies to help mitigate the risk of damage from floodwater. Contact the team at Ashfield to get your flood risk report.

No, a flood risk assessment is not required by law. However, it may be an essential requirement for securing planning permission, a mortgage, or home insurance.

No, a flood risk assessment is not required by law. However, it may be an essential requirement for securing planning permission, a mortgage, or home insurance.