Phase 2 Site Investigation to Discharge your Planning Condition

Yes. A Phase 2 Site Investigation is required when a Phase 1 Desk Study identifies potential contamination. Planning authorities, warranty providers and lenders will usually insist on intrusive testing before development proceeds.

If your Phase 1 Desk Study indicates the need for further assessment, a Phase 2 Site Investigation will be recommended. We always advise submitting the completed Phase 1 report to the local planning authority for their review before beginning the Phase 2 investigation. This step helps define the scope of testing required, ensuring that only necessary investigations are conducted.

Once the Phase 2 Site Investigation is completed, the results will be analysed to assess the levels of contamination on-site. If contaminants are present, a detailed risk assessment will be conducted to determine the impact on human health, water, and the environment. Depending on the findings, remediation work may be recommended, or further testing might be needed to address specific concerns.

A phase 2 Site Investigation involves intrusive ground investigation methods such as trial pits and boreholes, soil and groundwater sampling, and laboratory testing for contaminants (e.g. hydrocarbons, metals, asbestos, VOCs). Monitoring wells may also be installed to measure groundwater or ground gas.

The timeline for a Phase 2 Site Investigation varies depending on the scale and complexity of the site. Most small to medium sites are completed in 4–6 weeks, including mobilisation, fieldwork, lab analysis, and reporting. Sites requiring extended gas or groundwater monitoring will take longer.

Our contaminated land consultants can tailor the Phase 2 Site Investigation to account for restricted space or access issues. We have worked on a variety of challenging sites and can recommend suitable equipment or methods to overcome access limitations while still meeting the investigation’s objectives.

If your development will involve the disposal of soils, Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing may be required to classify the waste and determine its suitability for disposal in a landfill. WAC tests are now a standard requirement for most landfill sites. We can conduct WAC testing as part of the Phase 2 Site Investigation to ensure compliance and proper waste management.

Before commencing any site investigation, we ensure that all underground services are identified to avoid health and safety risks. If up-to-date plans aren’t available, we recommend requesting them from utility companies. In cases where timescales are tight, we can conduct a service clearance survey, which can be combined with a topographical survey if needed, ensuring no damage to underground utilities.

Once the Phase 2 Site Investigation is completed, the results will be analysed to assess the levels of contamination on-site. If contaminants are present, a detailed risk assessment will be conducted to determine the impact on human health, water, and the environment. Depending on the findings, remediation work may be recommended, or further testing might be needed to address specific concerns.