Phase 1 Desk Study – FAQs
Q: What is a Phase 1 Desk Study?
A: A Phase 1 Desk Study is a preliminary risk assessment that evaluates a site’s historical, environmental, and geological data to identify potential hazards before development. It is often required for planning applications or property transactions as part of due diligence.
Q: Why is an interpretive report important?
A: An interpretive report analyses risks, hazards, and potential solutions specific to the development site. Instead of just listing information, it provides actionable insights to help with planning and decision making.
Q: Do I need a site walkover survey?
A: A site walkover survey enhances the Phase 1 Desk Study by verifying on site conditions and helps to identify visible contamination risks and confirm potential hazards that historical maps and records may not show.
Q: What happens after a Phase 1 Desk Study is complete?
A: Once the Phase 1 Desk Study is complete Earth Environmental will provide you with the risk assessment report via email as a PDF. This can then be submitted to support your planning application, or as part of the Property Transactions (Due Diligence).
Q: What happens if the site is within a Coal Mining Area?
A: As part of the Phase 1 Desk Study Earth Environmental will assess your site location and establish as part of the Coal Authority Mining Report if your site is in an area of risk. If the Coal Authority Mining Report indicates that there is a possible risk to ground instability and subsidence, or if we believe there is a potential for unrecorded mines beneath the site or mine entries, a Coal Mining Risk Assessment will be required.
