4.1.2 Initial Assessment – desk study (all sites)
A desk study of the site and the surrounding area, that covers key and existing site information, shall be undertaken by a suitable person and include investigation of soils, geology, surface water, ground water, current and historical uses.
A desk study is the collection and examination of existing information obtained from a wide variety of sources. It should indicate potential hazards at an early stage and provide a basis for the investigation. Potential problems should be assessed according to the current and historical uses of the site and surrounding area, including those which may have been left by:
- industrial, commercial and agricultural uses, including storage
- mining
- quarrying
- landfilling and tipping.
Key information sources include:
- the Environment Agency or its equivalent – for example, coastal erosion, landfill sites, details of water abstraction
- the local authority – for example, planning and environmental health
- British Geological Survey, maps and information
- Ordnance Survey, current and previous editions of plans and aerial photographs
- Coal Authority, mining reports – past, present and proposed mining
- utility companies
- county records offices, libraries, museums and local history sources
- soil survey maps
- the site vendor
- in-house information
- ongoing monitoring
- the internet.
Last updated: 2nd January 2024