Breaking Planning Gridlock: How to Submit Environmental Evidence that Passes First Time

Why ‘complete on day one’ is the new standard

As reforms push the system to decide faster, poorly evidenced applications fall to the bottom of the pile. Case officers want a single, coherent story: what’s on site, what the risks are, how the design manages them, and why the proposals are maintainable. Submissions that stitch this together in one go avoid months of iterative RFIs and re‑consultations. The fastest way to achieve this is to front‑load two pieces of evidence—Phase 1 Desktop Study and Infiltration Testing—and keep every document consistent with them.

What must the Phase 1 show?

A scoped Phase 1 Desktop Study should map historic land use, potential contamination sources, receptors, and flood context. It should identify constraints that matter to the layout—tanks, made ground, sensitive neighbours—and set out proportionate mitigation. With that baseline, you can explain design choices credibly, from landscape buffers to capping thicknesses and material re‑use plans informed by WAC Testing.

Why infiltration data changes the conversation

Infiltration Testing provides the measured design rates that size soakaways, permeable paving and basins. Logs, photos and BRE 365 calculations demonstrate to drainage officers that the strategy is grounded in fieldwork, not assumptions. If infiltration proves unfeasible in areas, switching to attenuation with controlled discharge is justified and documented—avoiding last‑minute redesigns.

Consistency cuts RFIs

Planners notice when the risk assessment, drainage strategy and drawings tell the same story. Tie your habitats plan to the SuDS concept; show exceedance routes; align construction method statements to protect receptors identified in the Phase 1 Desktop Study. Where applicable, add a proportionate Coal Mining Risk Assessment so ground stability doesn’t derail foundations later. This coherence shortens consultations and de‑risks committees.

Decision‑ready, fast

EnviroSolution delivers rapid Phase 1 Desktop Study and Infiltration Testing, coordinating inputs so your application lands complete the first time—protecting programmes and budgets in a busier, stricter planning system.

Submission checklist

• {P1} with clear constraints plan and mitigation table.
• {INF} logs, BRE 365 calcs, and a SuDS strategy that shows exceedance routing.
• Construction method statements addressing receptors from the {P1}.
• {WAC} sampling plan if soils or sub‑base will be moved.
• Where relevant, screening‑level {CMRA} to pre‑empt stability queries.

Why it works

When officers see consistency across reports and drawings, they can determine faster. EnviroSolution packages these elements so your case lands complete the first time.

Quick checklist to keep your programme moving

• Commission a scoped Phase 1 Desktop Study to establish historic use, receptors, flood context and constraints that will influence design and construction methods.
• Book early Infiltration Testing (where relevant) to obtain BRE 365 design rates, groundwater observations and trial pit logs that make a SuDS strategy credible.
• Prepare a proportionate sampling plan and WAC Testing for any soils or demolition arisings so reuse and disposal routes are lawful and cost‑controlled.
• Where older structures are retained or stripped, add Asbestos Surveys to locate ACMs and sequence safe removal; for coalfield locations consider a screening‑level Coal Mining Risk Assessment.
• Align drawings, statements and calculations so drainage, ecology and construction mitigation tell one consistent story in your submission.

How EnviroSolution helps

We deliver fast surveys, accredited lab testing and concise reporting that joins the dots—turning risk into clear design choices and planning‑ready evidence. If you need energy compliance for new homes or conversions, our SAP Calculations integrate with the broader pack so Building Control sign‑off is straightforward.