Contaminated Land & Geotechnical Engineering Services
Integrated ground risk assessment for safe, compliant and commercially viable development
Understanding ground conditions is essential for any UK development. Whether you are preparing a planning application, progressing early design, or assessing land for acquisition, you need clarity on both the engineering behaviour of the ground and the environmental risks associated with historic land use.Â
Arthianâs Contaminated Land & Geotechnical Engineering service brings these two disciplines together into a single, coordinated process. Instead of commissioning separate investigations â often resulting in duplicated drilling, inconsistent data and planning delays â we deliver a unified approach that provides a complete understanding of ground risk from the outset.Â
Why an Integrated Approach Matters
Most UK development sites present a combination of geotechnical, contaminated land and geoenvironmental challenges. Made ground, historic industrial activity, variable geology, groundwater sensitivity and foundation constraints often overlap.Â
Developers typically face three earlyâstage questions:Â
- What surveys do we actually need for planning?Â
- Will the ground support the proposed development?Â
- Is contamination present, and what does that mean for cost and compliance?Â
Our integrated service answers all three â clearly, efficiently and in line with BS 5930, BS 10175, LCRM, and local authority expectations.Â
Our Contaminated Land & Geoenvironmental Services
Phase 1 Desk Study (Preliminary Risk Assessment)
A Phase 1 Desk Study identifies potential pollutant linkages and establishes the conceptual site model (CSM). This is a standard planning requirement for brownfield and former industrial sites.
Our Phase 1 reports include:
- Historical mapping and landâuse review
- Environmental database screening
- Site walkover
- Preliminary CSM
- Recommendations for Phase 2
All outputs follow BS 10175 and LCRM.
Phase 2 Intrusive Investigation
Where risks are identified, we undertake targeted intrusive investigations to confirm ground conditions and contamination.
Scope includes:
- Boreholes, trial pits and window sampling
- Soil and groundwater sampling
- Ground gas and vapour monitoring
- Laboratory chemical analysis
- Updated CSM and risk assessment
Contaminated Land Risk Assessment
We assess risks to human health, controlled waters and building materials, providing clear, proportionate recommendations.
Our assessments cover:
- Human health risk
- Controlled waters pathways
- Ground gas and vapour
- Waste classification and materials reuse
Remediation Strategy & Verification
Where remediation is required, we develop practical, costâeffective strategies aligned with planning conditions.
We provide:
- Options appraisal
- Remediation design
- Materials Management Plans (CL:AIRE DoWCoP)
- Verification and validation reporting
Ground Investigation Design & Delivery
We design and deliver geotechnical investigations that provide the data required for safe, efficient and compliant design.
Services include:
- Boreholes and trial pits
- Inâsitu testing (SPT, CBR, plate load)
- Soil and rock logging (BS 5930)
- Groundwater monitoring
- Laboratory geotechnical testing
Geotechnical Interpretation & Design Support
We assess the engineering behaviour of the ground to support foundation, earthworks and structural design.
Our capability includes:
- Foundation assessment (shallow, piled, rafts)
- Earthworks feasibility
- Slope stability assessment
- Retaining wall geotechnics
- Ground improvement feasibility
Construction Support & Specialist Assessments
We support contractors and design teams with:
- Piling platform design and verification
- Temporary works geotechnical support
- Excavation stability assessment
- Coal Mining Risk Assessments (CMRA)
- Geotechnical reporting (GIR, GDR, RfG)
How We Work
1. EarlyâStage Clarity
We identify the exact surveys required for your project stage, planning authority and development type.
2. Integrated Investigation
Our geotechnical and geoenvironmental teams collaborate from the outset, reducing duplication and improving data quality.
3. PlanningâReady Reporting
All outputs are aligned with BS 5930, BS 10175, LCRM and local authority expectations.
4. Practical, Commercially Focused Advice
We provide clear next steps that support design, procurement and construction.
Speak to our Ground Risk Team
Gain the clarity and technical assurance needed to progress your development with confidence.