Havant

Two methods of ground-gas risk assessment were applied to Havant, comprising ground-gas monitoring as well as analysis of soil samples. The historical review indicated that the site was largely unused until the mid-1960s when it became a factory, which operated until 2016.

The site report provided by a third party, recorded it contained Made Ground (<3.00m bgl) overlying Head Deposits of inter-bedded cohesive and granular soils. Original ground-gas monitoring suggested a Characteristic Situation CS2 across the entire site. This meant passive gas protection measures, such as expensive membranes, sub-flood voids and venting could have been required for all 100 of the proposed plots on the development.

A soil derived approach to ground-gas risk assessment identified soils with a Total Organic Compound (TOC) range of 0.1 – 0.8%, which was not considered to pose an unacceptable ground-gas risk at the site. The TOC range identified classified the site as Characteristic Situation CS1.

There was still evidence that some parts of the site fell into CS2 so it was decided to zone the site, based on the understanding of the geological model. Assessment indicated the site to have three geological zones; west, central and east, associated with the identification of a sand horizon.

Based on detailed risk assessment it was then possible to zone the requirement for protection to CS2 to only the western portion of the site (13 out of 100 plots), removing the requirement for ground-gas protection from the remainder of the site. This represented a considerable saving on the initial construction cost estimate.

West Drayton

At the West Drayton site we knew that our client was working to a tight deadline and was in touch with the Contaminated Land team at the council, in an attempt to agree a reasonable date for submission of a ground-gas risk assessment.

Given the client’s deadline concerns, the full team of technicians at Ground & Water was committed to work on this project and allocated their time to ensure all ground-gas monitoring was completed in the allotted time. An interim risk assessment then allowed the client to proceed with construction as soon as the ground-gas readings were reviewed. A thorough risk assessment quickly followed and agreement with the council was reached to characterise the site as CS1. This meant no precautions against ground-gas were required.

Based on co-ordinated site works, ground-gas readings and thorough, up to date, ground-gas risk assessments, Ground & Water successfully saved these clients considerable sums of money on developments where ground-gas issues at first looked problematic. By establishing all bar 13% of one site could be classified as CS1, the work also prevented the unnecessary use of plastics and reduced waste. All this was achieved thanks to good communication, efficient work and good risk assessments. The result was two very happy clients.