At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we understand the inherent ground risk that is posed to all developments.
Ground investigation is essential for all proposed developments, and we understand the importance of good quality ground investigations. All of our investigations are undertaken in a phased approach with regular reviews between each element of works.
We are experienced at managing all forms of ground risk from contaminated land, to mining subsidence. Our integrated team of contaminated land specialists, engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers can manage the ground risk from any site.
We specialise in giving tailored and pragmatic advise with regards to all forms of potential ground risk. Our advice starts with a detailed understanding of the proposed development and how this will interact with potential or identified ground conditions and ground risks present. From this understanding of the interactions between the proposed works and existing ground conditions bespoke site-specific tailored pragmatic advise can be given to allow the potential risks to be suitably managed.
Each ground investigations starts with a Preliminary desk based Risk Assessment (PRA) (Phase 1 Desk Study). The preliminary assessment is the initial non-intrusive desk based investigation and involves a detailed review of available geological and environmental data for the site.
The preliminary assessment identifies potential ground conditions and allows creation of conceptual ground model for the site. From which, informed decisions with regards to ground risk at the site (contamination, poor ground, mining subsidence) can be made.
Following completion of the preliminary desk study assessment an intrusive ground investigation is undertaken. This intrusive Phase 2 ground investigation is designed to allow a detailed assessment of ground risks identified by the preliminary phase 1 desk study.
Upon completion of the fieldwork and testing, the initial conceptual ground model is reviewed and updated with the proven ground conditions.
Not only do our comprehensive site investigation reports contain all the necessary data to satisfy ground related planning conditions and warranty provider conditions, our reports also set out the ground risks present at the site and include pragmatic solutions to address these risks.
The long industrial legacy of the North of England continues to provide extensive unseen contaminated land risk for proposed developments.
Back in 2020 the Environment Agency (NIEA in Northern Ireland & SEPA in Scotland) published the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) framework guidance. This guidance sets out the risk-based approach regulators take when assessing the potential impacts contaminated land may pose to future developments. The risk-based approach is undertaken in three stages.
Stage 1 risk assessment which initially consists of a preliminary (Tier 1) desk-based assessment through to a Tier 3 detailed qualitative risk assessment.
Stage 2 Options appraisal, where the feasible remediation options are identified and evaluated against the requirements of the proposal and the final remedial option is chosen.
Stage 3 Remediation and Verification, were the remediation strategy is developed including production of a remedial and verification specification. The remediation scheme is then undertaken following the remedial and validation requirements of the specification. Upon completion of the remedial works a verification report detailing the works done and the final remediated land quality.
Queensberry design Geotechnical has the experience to manage all phases of contaminated land risk from the initial Stage 1 Risk Assessment to the Stage 3 production of remediation specification, third party supervision of remedial woks and production of final verification reports suitable for regulatory approval.
The industrial and mining legacy continues to provide extensive unseen risk for proposed developments particularly in the Northeast and Yorkshire regions.
The Coal Authority (now the Mining Remediation Authority) split the coal field into development low risk and high risk areas. Where development is proposed within the development high risk area, a coal mining risk assessment will be required as part of any planning application
At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we have extensive experience of undertaking initial preliminary desk based coal mining risk assessments. Through our detailed coal mining risk assessments, which include review of additional coal mining data such as mine abandonment plans and mine completion plans will provide a context for the potential risk to the development from past coal mining legacy at the site. Where possible, the coal mining risk can be addressed early following a detailed review of available information negating the requirements to undertake an intrusive investigation.
However, where risk cannot be addressed by the desk based coal mining risk assessment, Queensberry Design Geotechnical will design and implement a detailed intrusive coal mining investigation. Following which, detailed and pragmatic advice and remedial options tailored to the proposed development scheme will be provided.
Queensberry Design Geotechnical also has extensive experience with the production of coal mining remedial schemes, from simple coal mine shaft cap details to detailed drill and grout specifications, supervision and validation.
Queensberry Design Geotechnical has the experience to manage coal mining risk from the initial desk based coal mining risk assessment to production of coal mining remediation verification reports detailing the works undertaken to enable development on land that could be adversely affected by coal mining legacy risks
The risk posed to developments by sloping ground is often overlooked, especially when the slopes are on the site boundary. At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we undertake all aspects of slope stability assessments from initial identification of the risk during a site walk over to final remedial designs.
Following the initial identification of potential slope instability issues, we design and execute bespoke slope stability ground investigations, which due to the presence of steep slopes, are often complicated by difficult access constraints.
Upon completion of the ground investigation, we undertake the stability assessment utilising specialist software including Limit Equilibrium Analysis (LEA) from which informed decisions can be made with regards to potential remedial designs such as slope regrading, retaining walls, soil nails etc.
In addition to conventional soil slope stability assessment Queensberry Design Geotechnical has extensive experience with undertaking specialised rock face stability assessment (kinematic analysis).
The ground is integral to all developments and at Queensberry Design Geotechnical we can provide ground related construction support during all phases of construction. Construction support services we can offer include:
• Temporary works design
Temporary works design
From working platform design to temporary excavation shoring design including temporary slope stability assessments, Queensberry Design Geotechnical has the experience to provide robust cost-effective designs.
Gas protection verification plans and gas measures validation
Gas protection verification plans and gas measures validation are an integral part of the gas protection measures of any development. BS8485:2015+A1:2019 requires a suitable verification plan and validation of the installed gas protection measures to ensure that the gas protection design is adequate.
The verification plan ensures that the proposed gas protection measures are suitable for the existing ground gas regime and the proposed building type. In addition, the verification plan also sets out in advance the requirements for the validation of the installed gas protection measures.
Geotechnical / foundation inspections:
Our qualified geotechnical engineers have over 25 years of experience visiting construction sites for the inspection of foundation trenches, ground conditions, unforeseen ground conditions and all types of mining related hazards such as suspected mine shafts.
Stockpile testing
At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we understand that manging soil as a resource can be complicated with many potential regulatory hurdles. We can provide advice with respect to the classifications of soils as a waste and as a resource.
In addition to soil management advice, we offer stockpile testing to determine both the chemical and geotechnical suitability of the soil prior to either import or export. Following the testing we can provide classification of the soil for its intended reuse such as for general earthworks fill or clean cover soils to be used in a clean cover capping system.
We can also undertake testing for waste classification.
Cover soil validation
Where required, cover soil validation is an essential part of discharging planning conditions and a requirement of the Council of Mortgage Lenders prior to completion of the purchase of a new house.
Soil is a resource and like all resources needs to be adequately managed. At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we believe that the management of soil comes with additional benefits and could potentially have a significant cost saving for any development. Furthermore, correct management would encourage protection of a limited resource and allow sustainable re-use of soils (where considered possible).
Queensberry Design Geotechnical has the expertise and experience of navigating soil reuse both on and off site. We have experience of providing the following services:
• Agricultural land classification
• Soil resource surveys & soil management plans
• Mineral safeguarding assessments
• Material Management Plans (MMP)
• Earthwork specifications
Agricultural Land Classification (ALCs)
The national planning policy framework (NPPF) requires the Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land to be protected from significant, inappropriate, or unsustainable development proposals. Many Local Authorities require ALCs as part of the planning process.
Natural England has produced Provisional Agricultural Land Classification maps at the regional level for initial guidance purposes only. These provisional maps are not sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of development sites. In addition, historical detailed Agricultural Land Classifications are available to inform gradings for sites (where available).
Our soil scientists at Queensberry Design Geotechnical have a proven track record with undertaking all aspects of detailed agricultural land classification from initial desk-based assessments and site recognisance through to field studies and finally, classification.
Soil resource surveys and soil management plans
Soil resource surveys are essential in the protection of soil resources, enable sustainable construction and allow informed decisions to be made regarding suitable land use and optimisation of soil reuse on sit (including topsoil).
Soil management plans are useful for ensuring the soil resource at your site is suitably protected and managed to maximise the reuse potential of soils present on site. The soil management plan details the appropriate methodology for excavation, storage and reuse of soils and can include the following:
• Plans showing the location of soil types and areas of striping / excavation
• Location and suitable construction of soil stockpiles
• Anticipated soil and stockpile volumes
• Define procedures and equipment for sustainably stripping / excavation and placing of identified soil types
• Options for potential reuse of soils within the proposed development.
Our soil scientists at Queensberry Design Geotechnical have a proven track record with undertaking all aspects of soil management from the initial soil resource survey through to the detailed soil management plan.
Material Management Plan (MMP)
Material Management Plans are essential documents for ensuring responsible handling and sustainable reuse of soils on both brown field and green field development sites. At Queensberry Design Geotechnical we produce MMPs in accordance with the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoW:CoP), which can allow the reuse of made ground on the site of origin and or the import / export of clean naturally occurring soils (direct transfer).
The use of MMPs allows legal compliance demonstrating that the soil is a resource and not a waste and hence can reduce soil disposal and consequently reducing the cost of development and increasing the sustainability of the development.
Earthworks Specification
Earthworks specifications are the principal technical document that enables the sustainable and appropriate reuse of subsoils on site. They provide the detailed requirements and quality control procedures for reusing soil. Each earthwork specification will be bespoke and tailored to the requirements of the proposed development.
Well-developed earthwork specification and subsequent earthwork validation are essential in proving the suitably for reuse of soils in development. They set out the requirements for classification testing to ensure that the soils are suitable for their intended use. In addition, they set out the placement and compaction requirements of the soil to be used in the works and define the verification testing requirements to demonstrate that the soil have been suitably placed.
At Queensberry Design Geotechnical our engineers have over 25 years of experience of assessing, designing and supervising earthwork schemes from simple housing developments on greenfield sites to complicated large-scale mixed-use brownfield redevelopment.
