Whilst the idea of converting barns and other similar structures to form residential dwellings is not new, the process gained popularity during the second half of the 20th century before slowly falling out of favour as planning laws were tightened. However, since 2014, planning restrictions have eased and barn conversion type projects often now fall under Class Q Permitted Development Rights. As a result, there has been a new surge in the popularity of converting barns and similar buildings.
It is becoming increasingly common for Planning Consents for barn conversion projects (and other small-scale residential projects such as single plots within an existing development and even extensions to existing houses), to include a contaminated land Condition. The wording of these Conditions can create a degree of worry as they usually include a number of stages (preliminary risk assessment, ground investigation, remediation strategy and remediation verification), which all sound expensive.
Crossfield Consulting has a proven track record of assisting small-scale development by offering a cost-effective and pragmatic solution that minimises cost to the developer but provides information that is required to satisfy the local planning authority.
In a large number of cases, it is sufficient simply to provide a preliminary risk assessment (also known as a Desk Study Appraisal or Phase 1 Environmental Assessment) and such a report can often eliminate the requirements for further, typically more expensive, work.
If you have a small-scale residential development going through the planning process and the Decision Notice includes contaminated land Conditions, then we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements and provide you with cost-effective solutions to get your project progressing.
We have an information sheet on this topic and it can be downloaded here.