Case Studies
Bloor Homes - Olney Housing Project, Buckinghamshire
Rolton Group was appointed by Bloor Homes, a major residential developer, to undertake site investigation works and produce a remediation strategy on a former tannery site.
The site was located directly adjacent to the River Great Ouse and the former usage had involved stockpiling of highly contaminated waste slurry on the surface, together with significant contamination of the groundwaters; this impacted upon approximately 2/3rds of the site area.
Planning conditions stated that no development was to commence until a remediation strategy had been approved by the local authority and that all site remediation works had been undertaken. Due to the extent of the contamination and sensitivity of the site adjacent to the river, this could effectively lead to a two year ‘clean up’ before construction could commence.
We structured our investigations and remediation strategy in such a manner that we were able to put a case forward to both the EHO and EA that the site could effectively be divided into two areas, one area with the contamination and the other as ‘clean’.
The EHO and EA agreed with our approach and consequently recommended to the planners that they saw no reason why the site should not be divided into two with regard to the planning condition; the planners duly granted permission to allow construction to proceed on the ‘clean’ area whilst the reclamation work on the remainder of the site was being undertaken.
Consequently, the client was able to build a significant number of properties and gain revenue from sales whilst at the same time the EHO and EA were confident that the remediation work was being undertaken in a safe, practical and efficient manner in accordance with the agreed specification.
Ultimately, the site was fully remediated to both the client’s and regulatory authorities’ satisfaction.