Site Investigation / Remediation

As the pressure on developers to find new land increases, especially as many planning departments will often refuse the use of greenfield sites, many are turning to developing brownfield sites. This is land that has been previously developed and may or may not be contaminated. Very few sites are so badly contaminated that they can not be reused at all, but the choice of new use may be restricted by the contamination.

To transform these brownfield sites into high profile developments, CMEC can provide the expertise, methodologies and solutions to reduce the total cost for site remediation. Contaminated land investigation is best undertaken by adopting a stepped approach which CMEC can organise and carry out, ensuring the best approach and method is utilised:

Step 1 - A desk-based review of the site using all available information. This would then be accompanied by a walk of the site to determine where the potential for contamination would be. With this information we would prepare a budget estimate.

Step 2 - A thorough site investigation would be next to establish the extent of any contamination. This would normally involve several test holes being dug for sampling of the ground. Once this had been completed a full costing would be completed enabling the client to ascertain the full implications of any ground removal and site preparation.

Step 3 - If the client wishes to go ahead, then CMEC can manage all contaminated ground removal, liaising with the Environment Agency and the necessary waste disposal sites.

Step 4 - The client is left with a clean site ready for developing.

Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed is characterized by its size, growing between 3 and 5 metres in height and bears a close resemblance to cow parsley and hogweed.

Both of these plants can cause real problems for developers as if it is on your land and spreads to neighbouring sites you can be liable for prosecution under The Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Environmental Protection Act.

There are a variety of options to eradicate both plants, from spraying to digging out which is dependent on the developer’s timeframe and budget. We are able to advise of the best method for the specific location. Whichever route you decide we can leave you a clean and environmentally safe site, enabling you to move onto the next phase of the programme.

Knotweed

There are several types of knotweed that can be found in the UK, the most common is Japanese Knotweed which was first introduced to Britain by the Victorians as an ornamental plant. Since then, it has invaded almost every corner of the country; wreaking havoc wherever it grows – tearing up tarmac and concrete and smothering native plants. Japanese Knotweed forms dense clumps up to 3 metres in height with large oval green leaves and a stem that is a hollow and similar to bamboo. The plants start to grow in early spring and by the end of August clusters of cream flowers develop.