Phase 3 Remediation Strategies Statements

Phase III – Remediation Strategies

Cost Effective, Feasible & Sustainable Methods Of Remediation.

Remediation is generally accepted as being the act of rendering a site ‘fit for purpose’ under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM – which replaced CLR11 back in October 2020) and the Guiding Principles for Land Contamination (GPLC) 1 – 3.  In its broadest definition, it’s taking previously developed land and making it suitable for redevelopment, in its many forms.  In this context, the term remediation covers many activities and even more solutions and is generally applicable in land development projects.

Here at GES, we specialise in a variety of remediation related services, including that of chemical contaminants from site related sources or more what is more generally known as “contaminated land”.

Contamination remediation can range from the very basic: complying with the BRE cover system approach, to the more complicated, such as bioremediation; and can be achieved in a day or over several years, depending on the size of the site and the approach adopted.  We have a wealth of experience of remediation design, management and supervision; all the skills needed to support a project through the remediation process.  Taking the findings of a site investigation GES will consider the options available to break the pollutant linkages associated with a site and formulate a remediation strategy to achieve that requirement.

Not as extensive as remediation of contaminated soils, but just as important, is that of the remediation of contaminated controlled waters, either groundwater or surface waters.  With the contamination of controlled waters being, by its very nature mobile, this poses a different approach to contaminated soil remediation.  Again, our depth and breadth of experience puts GES in an ideal place to design and manage controlled waters remediation projects.

The final aspect of contaminated land associated remediation that we at GES carry out is that of remediation of hazardous ground gases.  Not only can we advise on external gas control measures, such as passive and active land venting systems such as barriers and trenches, we can also advise on the design of building protection measures, how the venting, floor construction and any gas protection membrane installation.

Remediation of contaminated soils and controlled waters along with hazardous ground gas remediation would be handled here at GES by our environmental team.

In former coal mining areas remediation of historical mineshafts, adits and bell pits is just as prolific as contamination land remediation.  As with land contamination, the majority of sites can be remediated by a “traditional” solution, in this case, grouting.  However, our expertise would allow us to determine if this is the most appropriate solution and if not, offer alternatives.

Ground improvements are also used in the remediation of geotechnically poor ground conditions.  There are circumstances where the more commonly used foundation solutions are not cost-effective and the ground itself can be remediated geotechnically to allow a foundation solution to be applied.

The design and management of coal mining remediation and alternative ground improvement techniques are handled by our geotechnical team.

We have the capability to:

• support the remediation strategy through the planning process,
• agreeing key targets,
• providing a range of on-site management services, from a simple watching brief to full time site attendance for the more complicated or location sensitive remedial works,
• monitoring procedure and protocols,
• information management,
• attendance at project meetings, and
• validation of the remediation process upon completion, including gas protection systems.

Not only do we have the technical ability to support and managed remediation projects, but we also have the commercial awareness to understand cost is also a factor in remediating a site and whatever remediation strategy is adopted must also be commercially viable within the remit of the development project.