Contaminated Land Assessments

To get started, call an expert today. Phone us on 01443 803540 or email enviro@ashfieldsolutions.com

Simple, efficient and cost-effective contaminated land reports for planning

Our Phase 1 service is ideal for landowners, property developers, planners and architects looking to quickly and easily obtain planning permission.

A Phase 1 Contaminated Land Desktop Report (otherwise known as a preliminary risk assessment) is a critical first step in ensuring that any land contamination on a site is identified for effective risk management.

Ready to move your project forward? Our team of experts will do all they can to help. With our ‘right first time approach’, we can eliminate the need for costly and often unnecessary additional assessment work.

Speak to an expert today

Get started by filling out the contact form below. We’ll send your details to the right person, who will get in touch to talk you through the next steps and take care of your requirements.

Entire UK covered

Personable service and friendly staff

Trusted choice for builders & developers

Typically completed within seven days of instruction

    Get in touch with us today to find out more. Phone us 01443 803 540 or email enviro@ashfieldsolutions.com

    What’s included

    Our contaminated land risk assessments are recognised for being the most comprehensive, straightforward and efficient. 

    Here’s what you can expect from us:

    A detailed report based on a professional review of historical land use, geological records and environmental sensitivity. 

    We delve into more data sources than other report providers, so you can be confident that you’re receiving a comprehensive report with all bases covered.

    We usually recommend that a site inspection be included as part of the assessment, but we can discuss your specific requirements with you.

    Below, we’ve outlined the various risk assessments we provide and what’s included.

    For fulfilling planning conditions

    Get planning permission fulfilled more quickly with the right inspections and reports tailored to the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

    Site inspection
    Desktop land contamination assessment
    Location of historical landfill sites
    Radon gas risk
    Coal and mining-related hazards in line with LCRM
    Tier 1 risk assessment in line with LCRM guidance
    Clear and concise outcomes and actions

    For some properties, the local planning authority may require additional information, or you may wish to better understand certain aspects of the condition of the land.
    Examples of our optional assessments are included below:

    Flood risk screening
    Enhanced assessments
    Coal authority report
    Detailed review of previous investigations or remediation

    For property or land transactions

    We also supply Phase 1 reports for property transactions.

    Identification of current site activities with the 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

    What expertise do we offer?

    If you’re looking for a simple, efficient and cost-effective route to obtaining planning permission, the team at Ashfield is here to help. We are leading experts in Phase 1 assessments and pride ourselves on getting things done quickly and right the first time around. 

    Our Phase 1 reports are specifically designed to meet the needs of planning conditions and can provide an assessment of risks prior to property and land purchases. Our experts are always on hand to discuss the findings of our reports, cutting through the jargon to summarise what it all means and what you need to do next.

    Plus, when it comes to planning matters, we have substantial experience in liaising with regulators on behalf of our clients to speed up the approval process, saving you further time and hassle.

    The process

    Like our other services, our Phase 1 Contaminated Land Reports follow a simple, step-by-step process.
    We only advise further checks if they are essential and prioritise a ‘right first time’ approach.

    Step 1

    Get in touch with us, specifying the service you require.

    Step 2

    We’ll respond with more information about the service, how it works, and what we need from you.

    Step 3

    Once we have all the information we need, and you’re happy with our proposal, we’ll get to work and begin the assessment process.

    Step 4

    We’ll send you a comprehensive report outlining our findings. If further assessments are required, we will advise.

    We’re here to help

    We work with planners, architects and property developers, as well as homebuyers, business owners and investors.

    Whether you’re planning on purchasing land for redevelopment or need planning permission to be granted in order to progress your home renovation project, the experienced and friendly team here at Ashfield Solutions can give you the clarity you need. Find out more about us below.

    Learn more about Ashfield

    Why choose us?

    With a wealth of experience and hundreds of happy customers to our name, Ashfield Solutions is one of the UK’s leading Phase 1 environmental risk assessment specialists. 

    Here’s why:

    ✓ We’re all about efficiency. Unlike other assessment providers, we adopt a ‘right first time approach’ and will only advise further checks if they are absolutely essential.

    ✓ With strong links with planning authorities, we can get things moving more quickly for our customers.

    ✓ With a talented, friendly and highly qualified team, you’ll get a personable approach when you partner with us.

    ✓ With access to multiple, trusted data sources and expert analysis, you can benefit from unparalleled insights.

    ✓ We cover the entirety of the UK, working with homebuyers, business owners, investors and developers.

    ✓ All reports are compiled and carried out in accordance with relevant industry codes of practice.

    To get started, contact us today. Phone us 01443 803 540 or email enviro@ashfieldsolutions.com

    Meet the Team

    Meet the value-driven environmental experts that have a right-first-time approach when assessing the condition of your land.

    Oliver Baldock
    Oliver Baldock
    Director

    With over 20 years’ experience in environmental risk modelling, I provide bespoke solutions for clients across a diverse range of industries. Leading in tech, I innovate ground-breaking new products to keep up with current and future demands. With a can-do attitude and unique skill-set, I enable clients to make informed and confident decisions.

    Chris Marshall
    Director

    As one of the founding directors for Ashfield, I’ve gained over 20 years’ experience working on numerous contaminated sites across the UK, with a focus on environmental site assessment and remediation project management.

    Scott Ratcliffe
    Scott Ratcliffe
    Associate Director

    I help landowners, property funds, developers and investors de-risk and unlock the true value of their brownfield land. My expertise lies in land condition assessment and remediation, with a particular interest in Phase 1 and environmental due diligence assessments. With over 20 years’ experience in contaminated land consulting, I have worked on some of the UK’s most high-profile contaminated land projects.

    Andrew Pullman - Ashfields Solutions
    Andrew Pullman
    Managing Director

    I co-founded and continue to direct Ashfield Solutions Group, challenging the traditional environmental consultancy market. Helping to build an independent trusted advisor service, I’ve developed long-term relationships with clients across a wide range of sectors. My aim, and the collective aim of the organisation, is to maximise the value of our client’s asset through minimising and managing environmental risks.

    Paul Wood
    Paul Wood
    Associate Director

    As an Associate Director at Ashfield Solutions, I provide specialist advice and project management services across a number of sectors. Leveraging my experience as an environmental advisor, I support clients with contaminated land, waste soils and material management and reuse. I am also a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and a CL:AIRE Qualified Person (QP446).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Assessment? + -

    A Phase 1 Contaminated Land Assessment is the initial step in evaluating the potential environmental risks associated with a site or proposed development. It is a “desktop” based assessment that provides an overview of the potential risk of land or groundwater contamination on a site.

    Who do you work with? + -

    We work with a wide range of businesses, professionals and property and land buyers to help get their planning ambitions approved. We often work with the following:

    • Property developers and builders
    • Property professionals such as architects, planning consultants and land agents
    • Lawyers and solicitors
    • Lenders, banks or mortgage providers
    • Businesses
    • Insurance companies

    When would this report be required? + -

    In most cases, these reports are required for:

    • Fulfilling planning conditions
    • For land and property purchase
    • For the sale or divestment of a site
    • Due diligence
    • Lending, mortgages and pension funds

    Request a quote today, it’s simple, quick and easy.