Planning Permission Delays? A Phase 1 Desktop Study Could Be the Missing Link

Imagine you’ve spent weeks preparing your planning application. The architectural designs are perfect, local consultations have gone well, and everything seems ready to go. Then the planning officer sends feedback: “Please provide a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.”

If that phrase catches you off guard, you’re not alone. Dozens of developers face unexpected planning delays every year simply because they overlooked the need for a Phase 1 Desktop Study.

This requirement isn’t just bureaucratic red tape. Councils and environmental regulators need assurance that the proposed site is safe for its intended use. That’s where EnviroSolution comes in. We specialise in producing robust Phase 1 Desktop Studies that meet local authority and Environment Agency standards.

Our assessments draw from a wide range of data sources including historical land use records, Ordnance Survey maps, aerial imagery, environmental databases, and consultations with regulatory bodies. The resulting report outlines any potential environmental risks and includes a conceptual site model.

If no significant risk is found, the study often clears the way for planning to proceed. If potential contamination is identified, the report may recommend a Phase 2 Site Investigation—but this early identification allows for better budgeting and project management.

We recently worked with a client developing a retail park on previously undeveloped greenfield land. Despite its innocent appearance, our Phase 1 Desktop Study uncovered that a nearby landfill posed a moderate gas migration risk. Thanks to early identification, the design was modified to incorporate protective gas membranes, satisfying the planning conditions and keeping the project on schedule.

In fast-moving development environments, delays can cost you both time and money. A professional Phase 1 Desktop Study from EnviroSolution helps you stay ahead of planning requirements and avoid costly surprises.