Projects

A former large scale fuel storage and distribution depot is in the process of being redeveloped into a commercial development. The depot, located within a chalk quarry, was decommissioned around 15 years ago with all associated infrastructure removed.

Prior to Lustre Consulting’s involvement several investigations, dating back over a decade, had been conducted. The investigations discovered that the underlying aquifer had been impacted as a result of the site’s former use. Based on these findings, the Environment Agency required further investigation and remediation. Lustre Consulting was appointed to continue these works and subsequently undertook a phased Site Investigation. The investigations comprised a combination of windowless sampling, cable percussion drilling and several rounds of groundwater monitoring. The findings of the intrusive works enabled Lustre Consulting to prepare an assessment on the current groundwater quality and determine whether monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is a viable remediation option in the long term.

The findings of the phased investigation and monitoring were positive with evidence showing that the groundwater contamination is undergoing natural attenuation. The results have been summarised in a MNA Assessment Report and submitted to the Environment Agency for approval. Lustre Consulting look forward to continuing to assist with the verification works as the development progresses.

The Client is in the process of obtaining planning permission to develop a 22 turbine wind farm on the south-western shore of Loch Shin in Sutherland, Highlands of Scotland. As major development, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was required to support the planning application. Lustre Consulting was appointed to work as part of a team on the Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology Environmental Statement (ES) section of the EIA. In the first instance, a Scoping Report was prepared to provide a summary of the proposed development and potential impacts.

Lustre Consulting prepared a Phase 1 Environmental Risk Assessment (Desk Study) to inform the Scoping Report. The Phase 1 comprised an assessment of the potential effects on geology, hydrology and hydrogeology informed by a site walkover and detailed review of the soil and geology maps, nearby borehole records and provision of a preliminary peat slide assessment.

Following submission and approval of the Scoping Report, Lustre Consulting worked on the preparation of the Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology ES which comprised a summary of the environmental baseline conditions, a detailed potential impact assessment and recommended mitigation and monitoring measures. As part of the ES, Lustre Consulting undertook a detailed Peat Slide Risk Assessment which included a site wide peat probe survey, targeted field assessments (at each turbine location) and collection of baseline water quality and gas monitoring data.

Soon after a public exhibition during the summer of 2011 and completion of the EIA, the Client applied for planning permission which is currently going through consultation.

Following a diesel spill at an operational police station, Lustre Consulting was appointed to carry out an initial Site Investigation to determine the extent and impact of the spill. The investigation utilised a windowless sampling drilling rig to address access constraints, including the drilling of one borehole inside a dog kennel. The soil testing and groundwater monitoring confirmed that the spill had impacted the underlying soils and shallow aquifer.

Following a remedial options appraisal and liaison with the Environment Agency, the clean-up operation commenced. The remediation comprised a combination of small scale purging/ skimming, insitu bioremediation (Oxygen Release Compound and RegenOx PetroCleanze supplied by Regenesis) and rounds of vacuum extraction.

Lustre Consulting carried out verification monitoring throughout the works, with the final sampling round undertaken mid-2015. A Closure Report was subsequently prepared, providing evidence of the effective reduction in dissolved and free phase contamination, providing a significant betterment of the aquifer underlying the site. 

A former timber yard located off North Street, Barking received planning permission for redevelopment into residential use including houses with private gardens, apartment blocks and communal amenity space (including a children’s playground).

Lustre Consulting was appointed to undertake a Phase 2 Site Investigation to work towards discharging a planning condition.  The investigation comprised window sample boreholes up to 5m deep across the site focusing on the condition of the Made Ground in proposed private gardens, the children’s playground and shallow groundwater in the gravels, all of which were identified as the main pollution risks.  The soil and groundwater testing found widespread contamination in the Made Ground comprising PAHs, metals, asbestos (fragments) and a localised oil ‘hotspot’ that had migrated into the shallow groundwater.

Lustre Consulting was subsequently commissioned to develop a Remediation Strategy to mitigate the contamination risks including an engineered capping layer in landscaped areas, removal of the localised oil ‘hotspot’ and localised groundwater monitoring/ remediation.  All stages of the investigation and remediation works were successfully approved by the local Contaminated Land Officer and the Environment Agency.

Lustre Consulting was appointed to undertake an architectural acoustic assessment to inform the design and detailing of the renovation and extension to the historic William Morris Gallery. The work included providing baseline information on the acoustic performance of the building following removal of the artefact’s and to then to provide recommendations where necessary to integrate improvements into the proposed new layout such as acoustic insulation or improvements to the existing door sets. The work also included any recommendations that may affect the performance of the AV specifications.

The acoustic testing following post-construction works including measuring mechanical services noise levels and reverberation effects in new extension, refurbished rooms and replacement of the artefacts. An acoustic test report was produced with findings and recommendations on mitigation measures where any exceedences in noise transmission and reverberation was measured.

Lustre Consulting was appointed to undertake an air quality and noise assessment to support the planning of a new Royal Mail distribution centre in Strood, Kent. The air quality assessment considered emissions from a proposed biomass boiler and changes in traffic levels within the local road network, especially from a potential increase in HGVs and smallerpanel vans. The assessment considered the impacts in an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and included the modelling of nitrogen oxides and particular matter.

Overall, the air quality assessment confirmed that changes in predicted air quality were small to very small with the significance of change negligible. The noise assessment (carried out in line with BS4142:1997) also assessed the impact of increased traffic movements, fixed plant and other noise sources such as bins, roller doors etc. especially at night as the mail centre would probably be in operation 24hrs.

The work included measurement of background noise levels and modelling the impact from the new development to the nearest sensitive noise receptors such as residential apartments and housing. Overall, the assessment found that noise from fixed plant falls below ‘marginally significance’ and was within Medway’s standard limit. Increased traffic noise was considered minor to negligible, with eventual recommendations made to mitigation of noise to a more sensitive neighbouring receptor by application of acoustic fencing.

A former petrol filling station and vehicle servicing garage site in Kent is in the process of being redeveloped into a residential use. Lustre Consulting was initially appointed to carry out a Phase 1 Desk Study in support of a planning application. This was followed by a Phase 2 Site Investigation including a Geotechnical Investigation.

The site historically comprised a servicing and repair garage including a small petrol filling station dating back to pre-1960. The walkover identified the remains of the garage including several underground fuel storage tanks. The Phase 1 Desk Study concluded that the former use comprised a potentially significant contaminative land use and that further intrusive investigation was required.

The subsequent combined Phase 2 Site Investigation and Geotechnical Investigation comprised a combination of windowless sampling and trial pitting. The investigation was designed to target the underground tanks and other identified potential sources of contamination, provide geotechnical information and gain a good coverage across the site.

The shallow soils were found to be generally uncontaminated with the exception of a localised areas of buried waste. Lustre Consulting consequently recommended the removal of the underground fuel tanks and replacement of the buried waste with a Clean Cover System. All stages of the works undertaken to date have been successfully approved by the local Contaminated Land Officer. Lustre Consulting look forward to continuing to work with the developer as the development progresses. 

Lustre Consulting was appointed by the site owner to undertake a Phase 1 Desk Study to support the conversion of an agricultural barn to residential use under permitted development application. The proposed development involved the refurbishment of the existing main barn currently present on site, and clearance of a smaller barn/store for four proposed individual dwellings over two floors (ground and first floor) with limited private gardens.

The permitted development rights allow change of use from agricultural to residential buildings, without planning permission, as long as they are not in protected areas. Prior approval permission is required from the local council to allow consideration of strategic issues.

This site had a history of agricultural use with the main barn used for agricultural vehicle and equipment storage, and storage of a caravan, tools, and scrap metal.

In our experience, Local Authorities normally require a Desk Study with site walkover to assess the risk of any contamination related to the historical agricultural use. As part of the Phase 1 Desk Study a comprehensive conceptual model and risk assessment was provided with clear and concise recommendations helping to move the development forward including some limited soil sampling recommendations where private garden use is proposed.

The client, who is a small developer, required a Phase1 Desk Study to firstly support a planning application, and then a Phase 2 Site Investigation to discharge planning conditions. The proposed development comprised clearance of the site and construction of five luxury dwellings with large private gardens.

The Phase 1 Desk Study identified several buildings associated with the former military transmission station, including a large mast, various pits and a large above ground storage tank base. The objectives of the site investigation were to provide information on the contaminative status of the site, noting any associated risks and liabilities with regard to the proposed future use, along with obtaining information on the shallow and deeper ground conditions present at the site, including a sensitive Chalk aquifer.

The Phase 2 utilised a combination of trial pitting, windowless sampling, and environmental monitoring. The findings of the intrusive works enabled Lustre Consulting to prepare an assessment on the soil quality and suitability for residential use. Information on the geotechnical properties of underlying soils and foundation design considerations, including safe bearing capacity and settlement were also provided a the same time.

The findings of the investigation confirmed the suitability of the soils for residential use with private gardens with no significant remediation work required. The reports were subsequently approved by the local planning authority.

An equipment testing facility required environmental services to support an application for an Environmental Permit for the discharge of cooling water from their test facility building into a nearby river. Following the completion of a Conservation Risk Assessment, it was determined that a Bespoke Environmental Permit Application would need to be submitted as the river is classified as a Local Wildlife Site, with brown trout identified downstream of the proposed discharge.

As part of the Bespoke Permit Application a Qualitative Environmental Risk Assessment was undertaken in order to assess the risks posed by the discharge waters to surface waters within the river and ecological receptors within the river’s Local Wildlife site. This assessment typically identified low or negligible risks to the identified receptors.

Following discussions with the Environment Agency, it was determined that water samples from the inlet waters and proposed discharge waters should be collected and submitted for chemical analysis. These water samples could then be assessed to compare with Environmental Quality Standards for Freshwater using the Environment Agency’s H1 screening tool. This screening process identifies all significant pollutants as well as those pollutants where further assessment maybe required as the screening has shown there is a risk to the environment.

Lustre Consulting visited the testing facility to inspect the discharge points and collected water samples for analysis. The screening assessment demonstrated that the majority of potential hazardous pollutants were recorded at concentrations below the relevant Environmental Quality Standard (EQS), with a significant number recorded at concentrations of less than 10% of the EQS. However, several determinants, including a number of PAHs and heavy metals required assessment, including determining their process contribution, following dilution within the river. Following this assessment, however, these were also assessed as posing a low risk to the river and the sensitive ecological receptors.

This detailed assessment met the Environment Agency’s requirements for a Bespoke Permit Application and enabled the test facility to successfully apply for their Environmental Permit. During this project, Lustre Consulting supported with preparing an Environmental Management Plan for the proposed discharge and prepared supporting documentation for the permit application in line with Environment Agency guidance.

Lustre Consulting was appointed by the property owner to undertake a Basement Impact Assessment (BIA) to support a planning application involving the construction of a basement below part of the existing residential property.

The site is situated within the London Borough of Lambeth, whose Local Plan states that “an assessment of the scheme’s impact on drainage, flooding, groundwater conditions and structural stability” is required prior to granting approval.

The site consisted of the ground floor flat of a circa. 1916 end of terrace property with a private garden to the rear, the property has been extended to the rear historically and the proposal included the clearance and replacement of this extension.

The BIA identified a low risk to drainage and flooding, as drainage routes were likely to remain unchanged. The site is located in an area that benefits from river flood defences and is within a low surface water flood hazard area. The groundwater conditions were identified as low risk as the superficial deposits may have perched groundwater which is likely to be of low value and low sensitivity and the bedrock geology of London Clay Formation is an aquitard providing a level of protection to the deeper aquifer. As the proposed development is not extending underneath the original terraced property and all boundary fences and walls will remain as existing, it was considered to be a low risk for structural stability.

The BIA was submitted to Lambeth Borough Council as part of the planning application and planning approval was successfully gained.

A Commercial and Industrial Waste Transfer Station required environmental services to support an application for a bespoke Environmental Permit for a commercial and industrial waste transfer station to accept 75,000 tonnes per annum of commercial and industrial waste including 5,000 tonnes of asbestos bearing waste. Lustre Consulting were commissioned to produce an application stage Site Condition Report, Environmental Risk Assessment, OPRA assessment and associated drawings and applications forms to support the bespoke permit application.

The application stage Site Condition report was prepared for the site in line with Environment Agency Guidance, which included a review of the geology and hydrogeology beneath the site, the nearby hydrology, the site history and that of the surrounding area including the potential for historic pollution events at the site or for the site to have been polluted by previous site uses, the proposed site surfacing and site drainage for the waste transfer station and the proposed activities to be permitted. Based on this assessment and following discussions with the Environment Agency, Lustre were able to demonstrate that a Baseline Site Investigation was not required as part of the application process, which enabled the client to proceed more quickly with the permit application.

The Environmental Risk Assessment identified a number of potential hazards and sensitive receptors associated with the proposed activity and permit application. However, the qualitative risk assessment determined all risks to be negligible (i.e. assessed as not significant) or low. This reflected the nature of the proposed activities, the limited potential for emissions, the presence of hardstanding across the site, controlled drainage measures and the odour, dust and noise management measures to be implemented during the sites operational phase.

By providing the above-mentioned services and developing a good working relationship with the Environment Agency, Lustre were able to successfully assist the clients in applying for a Bespoke Environmental Permit and have more recently provided Environment Services to support the variation of the permit to include a vehicle depollution facility at the site.