Housing

Haggerston and Kingsland Development, Hackney, London

This is a large scale redevelopment project comprising the demolition and redevelopment of five separate residential sites located close to the Grand Union Canal in Hackney, London. Ashdown Site Investigation Ltd became involved with this project early on, carrying out a preliminary geotechnical investigation on each of the five sites, using deep cable percussion boreholes to provide information to assist structural engineers with the design of foundations.

Our involvement increased when we were appointed as geoenvironmental consultants for the project. Following negotiations with the local authority we carried out more detailed investigations at each site and produced separate contamination assessments and remedial strategies for each area. Investigations were undertaken using a combination trial pitting, window sampling and hand tools to collect additional information required for the assessments.

Consultants attended design team meetings keeping the client and design team appraised of progress with discharge of the planning conditions concerning ground contamination.

We continue to liaise with the ground workers and site management, including attendance at project start up meetings, to ensure that all the required contamination verification information is provided to allow planning conditions to be cleared at the end of the project.

Our involvement with the project has both ensured regulatory approval to the approach to assessment and remediation of contamination on site and minimised associated costs and project delays for the client.

Nutley, East Sussex

We were commissioned to carry out a phased contamination assessment to comply with contaminated land conditions attached to planning permission for the proposed residential development at a former village garage and workshop in Nutley, East Sussex.

Works undertaken included a Preliminary Contamination Assessment (Phase 1 desk study), a targeted Phase 2 intrusive investigation, preparation of a Remediation Strategy (Phase 3 Report), supervision and verification of works on site and finally preparation of Remediation Verification Report (Phase 4 report).

The intrusive investigation identified pollutant linkages associated with the proposed residential use from petroleum hydrocarbon, heavy metal and PAH contamination recorded at shallow depths within the soil and at depth, associated with former underground fuel storage tanks. Through our close links with the local authority and Environment Agency we were able to negotiate a phased sign off of planning conditions allowing completed plots to be sold prior to completion of the whole development.

East Hoathly, East Sussex

Initially commissioned by the land owner of an industrial estate to carry out a desk study and site investigation, we were subsequently appointed by the purchasing housing developer to assist with further investigations associated with site redevelopment to provide 44 residential houses.

Further investigations included a detailed gas risk assessment, preparation of a remediation action plan, on site remediation supervision, ongoing liaison with local authority and preparation of completion reports for NHBC warranty completion.

Our involvement with the project has provided significant cost savings to our client by applying site specific approach to gas risk assessment and cover system design.

Footscray, Kent

We were initially commissioned by the developer of this former car maintenance garage to advise on potential contamination and geotechnical issues relating to the site. Our involvement, as with most projects, began with the preparation of a desk study, development of conceptual model and site investigation to assess ground conditions. Development proposals were for the provision of 40 residential units with basement car park, private gardens and communal landscaped areas.

The site was contaminated with fuels associated with the former uses and is located in a sensitive groundwater area. The Environment Agency raised serious concerns relating to the fuel contamination and potential impacts to a nearby ground water abstraction point. Our proactive involvement and liaison with the regulators provided significant project savings and management of future liability relating to protection of groundwater. We prepared and agreed monitoring and remediation method statements with the regulators. Our engineers oversaw and directed remediation works on site, with an extended period of groundwater monitoring undertaken and regularly reported back to the regulators through out the remediation contract. The submission of our completion report at the end of the process ensured the development could proceed without the requirement for any ongoing groundwater treatment or monitoring.

Addiscombe Road, Croydon, London

The site of a former petrol filling station and car maintenance workshop, we were commissioned to carry out a full range of contamination and geotechnical investigations and assessment. Plans for the site were to provide a mix of affordable social housing with communal gardens and a block of flats to the front of the site.

Our works included undertaking a desk study and development of site conceptual model combined with the review of previous investigations carried out by others and provision of recommendations for further works.

Further works included a combined geotechnical and contamination investigation, attending meetings and corresponding with regulators, development of a remediation action plan specifying remedial requirements, onsite remediation supervision and validation and provision of a completion report documenting remedial works and obtaining regulatory sign off at the end of the development process.

Our involvement with this project provided the client with a tailored action plan, minimising costs and delays to the project from contamination whilst addressing all risks to the satisfaction of regulators.

Bouverie Road, Hackney, London

The site comprised a former mechanical engineering building which had fallen into disrepair. Ashdown Site Investigation Ltd initially carried out a phase 1 contamination assessment for the site which identified a number of potential risks to the end users of the proposed development.

The subsequent investigation comprised a series of dynamic sampler boreholes to provide both geotechnical information and an initial assessment of the potential risk to the proposed development. Early liaison with the local authority has ensured agreement to the approach to assessment and future remediation of contamination issues to avoid problems with discharging planning conditions at the end of the project.

Following discussion with the local authority, further investigations were undertaken to allow preparation of a remediation strategy, comprising the provision of passive gas protection measures and placement of a cover system of clean soils in proposed soft landscaped areas.

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