Roberts Environmental undertook a Geo-Environmental Site Investigation and Risk Assessment for the 15.2 hectare Northumberland County Council site in Morpeth last year, prior to it being put on the market.

We were instructed by Bradley Hall on behalf of the County Council to undertake the site investigation and provide a detailed report, which could be used within a vendors pack for the sale of the property.

We successfully delivered our services within a very tight timeframe of four weeks from instruction to completion and submission of report – virtually unheard of for a site of this size and given the scope of investigation.

The assessment was undertaken to identify the ground conditions and reduce unknowns to prevent future price-chipping by potential purchasers based on abnormals.

Historically the majority of the site had formed undeveloped land until the 1970’s when the County Hall was constructed.  Features of note included the fire station to the north which incorporated a number of underground fuel storage tanks, a large manmade mound to the east of unknown content and the varying levels across the property.  The site remained fully open throughput the ground investigation which required full health and safety management of County Hall employees and members of the general public.

Based on the findings of the ground investigation we were able to determine the ground conditions across the property and provide recommendations for future foundation design. We were also able to assess that there were no significant sources of contamination and as such reduce the potential costs of abnormals for future developers.

We have since been further instructed on works including a coal mining risk assessment and the excavation of the tanks from the fire station site, which involved the validation of the excavation through further soil sampling.  The site has subsequently been sold for redevelopment.

For further information on how we can assist you with Geo-Environmental Assessments please do not hesitate to contact us on 0191 230 4521 or email: Enquiries@robertsenvironmental.co.uk.

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