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We translate complex sub-surface information into clear, evidence-based advice, so clients can make informed decisions and progress their proposals with confidence.
Contamination, variable soils or mineral safeguarding areas can influence timescales, costs and development viability. Understanding them early manages these risks and also creates design opportunities, allowing for optimised foundation design, well-planned brownfield regeneration and maximised land value. We support developers, landowners, promoters, planning consultants and local authorities on residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes of all scales, from a single desk-based assessment to full investigation management on major sites.
Why Choose Brookbanks for Ground Conditions
By joining client teams early, our experts identify the sub-surface factors that influence site selection, masterplanning and infrastructure programmes. They lead technical procurement and collaborative design processes to deliver proportionate, practical solutions that satisfy planning and regulatory requirements without over-specifying the work.
The value we provide lies in de-risking the development lifecycle while protecting project objectives. Strong working relationships with regulators, environmental agencies and local planning authorities, together with our technical capability, help us unlock complex or constrained sites, keep programmes on track and deliver sustainable ground strategies that support long-term project delivery.
Key Client Benefits
- We identify environmental liabilities and geotechnical hazards at the earliest opportunity, helping to avoid unexpected engineering costs and protect project timelines.
- Our advice is pragmatic and commercially minded, balancing environmental compliance with development economics and viability.
- Trusted relationships with regulators and local authorities support smoother, more efficient approval of ground-related planning conditions.
- Clients receive continuous support across the project lifecycle, from initial desktop appraisals and scoping through to investigation management and review of outputs.
- Expertise in contamination and minerals safeguarding helps turn constrained brownfield land into viable development opportunities.
- We look for value enhancement in our ground investigation and remediation strategies, reducing programme risk, reusing materials and bringing land back into beneficial use.
Specialist Services
Preliminary Risk Assessments
A Preliminary Risk Assessment, often called a “Phase 1” or desktop study, combines historical research, a review of the site’s environmental setting and an initial conceptual site model. Together these establish the likely types of contamination and the risks they may present. It is the minimum ground conditions information required to support a planning application.
Carrying out this assessment early brings wider benefits. It can highlight likely geotechnical implications for foundation design and any abnormal remediation requirements, so that these inform masterplanning and cost planning from the outset rather than emerging later in the process.
See how our specialists identified geotechnical and contamination constraints at Newlands Farm in Fareham.
Ground Investigation Management and Project Stewardship
Where a site needs further investigation, we manage the full process: scoping, technical specification, procurement and competitive tendering of the intrusive ground investigation. Greenfield sites can often be supported by a Preliminary Risk Assessment alone, while brownfield sites generally benefit from intrusive investigation to support reliable masterplanning and cost certainty. Because the scope builds directly on the Preliminary Risk Assessment, the works are sufficient for the site’s risks while remaining proportionate and cost-efficient.
Acting on the client’s behalf, our team handles the technical appointment of investigation contractors, manages subcontractor changes as the work progresses and provides an authoritative review of the outputs. This independent professional check tests assumptions and conclusions, so the work supports the scheme without recommending additional work and costs that are not warranted. Where remediation or other mitigation, such as ground gas protection measures, is needed, we help make sure it is properly specified, tendered and managed.
Read how we reviewed ground investigation information and foundation assumptions at Lansil, Lancaster.
Minerals Safeguarding Assessments
Where a site lies within a mineral safeguarding area, planning policy requires evidence that valuable mineral resources will not be sterilised by the development, or that they will be appropriately extracted or protected. Our minerals safeguarding assessments provide the specialist evaluation needed to satisfy these policies.
Understanding the resource fully can require intrusive investigation. Identifying the requirement early allows the right information to be gathered alongside other site work, helping to avoid delays and limit additional cost.
Regulatory Liaison and Expert Witness Support
Proactive pre-application engagement and ongoing technical dialogue with environmental regulators and local planning authorities form a core part of our service. This engagement gives regulators confidence that ground risks have been proportionately considered, supporting positive consultee responses and a smoother route through the planning process.
For planning appeals, Public Inquiries and legal challenges, our experts provide authoritative technical representation and expert witness services. They present clear, well-evidenced opinion on contamination, geotechnical and minerals matters.
Sectors We Support
Our ground specialists support residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes of all scales, working for developers, landowners, promoters, planning consultants and local authorities. Their advice also supports property transactions and the protection of asset value.
Their expertise in contamination and minerals safeguarding helps bring constrained brownfield land forward for regeneration. On greenfield sites, a proportionate desktop assessment is often all that is needed to support an application.
Talk to Our Ground Conditions Specialists
If you are appraising a site, preparing a planning application or managing a ground investigation, contact a member of the team directly, or email hello@brookbanks.com and one of our experts will get back to you.
Group Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities
Dean Swann
dean.swann@brookbanks.com
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Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities
Richard Boyle
richard.boyle@brookbanks.com
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Associate Director, Land, Development and Communities
Tom Haslam
tom.haslam@brookbanks.com
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FAQs
Does every planning application need a ground conditions assessment?
Most applications need at least a Preliminary Risk Assessment to show that land contamination risks have been considered. The level of further work depends on the site’s history, its setting and the proposed use. Our specialists can advise on what is proportionate for your site.
Will my site need an intrusive ground investigation?
Not always. Greenfield sites can often be supported by a desktop Preliminary Risk Assessment alone, while brownfield sites usually benefit from intrusive investigation to understand contamination and ground conditions. We scope investigations to match the actual risks, so the work is thorough without being excessive.
What is minerals safeguarding and why does it matter?
Some areas are safeguarded to protect important mineral resources. If your site falls within one, the planning authority will usually want evidence that the development will not sterilise those minerals. Identifying this early allows any required assessment or investigation to be programmed in from the start.
Can you review ground investigation work prepared by others?
Yes. We regularly provide independent technical review of site investigation reports and outputs. This checks that assumptions and conclusions are sound and that any recommendations are proportionate to the risks.