The starting point of any development is the desk study. We source published information from a range of suppliers and assess these data to give us an initial understanding of the characteristics of the ground and potential geotechnical and environmental issues. A desk study is a minimum requirement for local authority approval of planning applications.

Desk studies are a key element in site evaluation and development appraisals prior to property acquisition and provide valuable and focused advice at an early stage.

A key element of the desk study is the production of a conceptual site model, which highlights possible pollutant linkages by identifying:

• potential contaminants associated with a property’s current or historical usage.
• receptors (including site users and the water environment) that may be adversely affected by potential contaminants.
• pathways whereby contaminants could migrate to the receptors.