Client: Large Local Authority
Project: Sale of Land for Residential Use

Nicholls Colton Geotechnical was commissioned, as part of a long term contract with this Local Authority client, to carry out a detailed ground investigation of land in the Authority's ownership, with a view to eventual disposal of the land for residential development.

The site, located in an urban setting, was occupied by an engineering works, a garage, a foundry and a scrap metal merchant, and included brick and portal frame buildings. The Nicholls Colton team put down a series of cable percussion boreholes and window sample holes throughout the site, including several holes within existing buildings. A number of the boreholes were installed with gas and groundwater monitoring standpipes.

Soil and water samples were obtained by NCG and sent to the Nicholls Colton Analytical laboratory, where tests for total and leachable contaminants, testing of groundwater, and also WAC (waste acceptance criteria) analyses, were carried out. Nicholls Colton assessed the laboratory results and presented human health and groundwater risk assessments, together with gas risk assessments, in an interpretative geo-environmental report. The report also included an initial characterisation of potential waste streams.

As part of the works carried out, NCG utilised its geotechnical expertise to also recommend possible foundation solutions (both shallow footings and piled foundations being required), floor slab and road design requirements at the site.