What Is a Site Investigation Report – and When Is It Required?
If your planning authority has asked for a “site investigation” or “contamination risk assessment,” they are typically referring to a Phase 1 Desktop Study as the first step. Desktop First, Intrusive Second (If Required) Most environmental site assessments begin with a Phase
Do I Need a Phase 1 Desktop Study for a Brownfield Site?
In most cases, yes. Brownfield land — which refers to sites that have previously been developed — is far more likely to contain residual contamination than greenfield land. As a result, a Phase 1 Desktop Study is commonly requested at
How to Get Planning Permission When Contamination Is Suspected
If a site has previously been used for industrial or commercial purposes, or is listed on a contaminated land register, local planning authorities may request an environmental risk assessment. A Phase 1 Desktop Study is the typical first step. Planning Authorities
What Surveys Do I Need Before Buying Land in the UK?
When purchasing land for development, it’s vital to understand what surveys and assessments are required to move forward safely and legally. One of the most common requirements — especially during early planning — is a Phase 1 Desktop Study. What Is
We’re Converting a Former Council Property — What Are the Risks?
Council-built homes from the 1950s to 1980s often contain asbestos in materials like artex ceilings, heating duct panels, soffits, water tanks, and even vinyl flooring. If you're converting or refurbishing one of these properties — especially on a buy-to-let or
We Manage a School Built in the 60s — Should We Be Worried About Asbestos?
Asbestos is still present in thousands of school buildings across the UK, especially those constructed between the 1950s and 1980s. Ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, insulation panels and floor coverings may all contain asbestos — and if damaged, they pose serious
We Need to Demolish — Do We Really Need an Asbestos Survey?
You’re on a tight schedule. The demolition crew is ready, and machines are lined up to knock down an old warehouse next week. But the health and safety advisor flags one issue — no asbestos survey. Can’t we just proceed? Absolutely not.
We Just Bought a Commercial Unit — Are We Responsible for Asbestos?
Buying a commercial property is a major investment — but it also comes with responsibilities. One of the most misunderstood is the legal duty to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. If you’ve recently acquired an industrial unit,
We Discovered Asbestos Mid-Renovation — What Now?
Imagine this: you're halfway through stripping back an old property ready for conversion, and your contractor uncovers suspicious insulation around the boiler or textured coatings on the ceilings. Panic sets in — could it be asbestos? For developers and property investors,
We’re Building 20 New Homes — How Do We Handle SAPs Efficiently?
Large-scale developments come with many moving parts. When you’re managing 10, 20, or even 100 new homes, handling SAP Calculations unit by unit quickly becomes overwhelming. Each plot may have a slightly different specification, orientation or building type. Tracking them all