HOW TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE GROUND CONTAMINATION

[AJN_2023]

- Have permission to demolish existing dwelling & complete self-build in England.

- Ground investigations flagged possible issue on screening tests, likely to do with bonfires and leaky oil tank (lead, petrol, and Hydrocarbons).

- Can we dig up said areas & get soil removed by licensed company? If so, how wide & deep?

- Or do we need to get a company to generate a strategy & then verify & produce certificate? No conditions were in approval to get tests, only if something is definitely found.

- Advice welcomed. Thanks.

[Conor]

The latter. You'll need a full analysis and appropriate strategy. It'll cost you a good £800+ for the report and strategy. Oil contamination can often be dealt with biological treatment or even simple exposure to the elements. The latter was what we did, as the contamination was deep, it was dug up and left isolated on the site, tested a year later and the hydrocarbon levels had dropped in to the lower category. 

 

Either way, no need to panic yet. 

[AJN_2023]

Soil investigation company are quoting at least £3,345:

• Remediation Strategy = £1,050
• Inspection of clean cover, 1 visit = £695
• Chemical analysis (3 subsoil, 3 topsoil, at £75ea.) = £450
• Verification Report = £1,150