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Site Investigation – Trowbridge, Wiltshire

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Southwest Environmental has recently undertaken a site investigation in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The purpose of the investigations were two fold.

  1. Find Out Soil Strengths
  2. Expose Existing Footings
The work was undertaken over 2 days, and the data was used to write a report on the state of the ground on site. The existing pad footing appear to be bedding directly on to the bedrock which was a cornbrash limestone: Limestone, medium- to fine-grained, predominantly bioclastic wackestone and packstone with sporadic peloids; generally and characteristically intensely bioturbated and consequently poorly bedded, although better bedded, commonly somewhat arenaceous units occur in places, particularly in the upper part. Generally bluish grey when fresh, but weathers to olive or yellowish brown. Thin argillaceous partings or interbeds of calcareous mudstone may occur.
SPT data was used to provide input data for bearing capacity calculations. These are then provided to the structural engineer.
SWEL undertake site investigation all over the UK. We try to do things on a quick turnaround where possible. 

Noise & Vibration Monitoring – Horsham, West Sussex

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Southwest Environmental Limited were recently commissioned undertake long term noise and vibration monitoring for a site in Horsham.

The site in question was a residential usage, with demolition and construction activities occurring immediately adjacent.

Concerns were raised by residents and site management with regards to the levels of noise and vibration experienced by residents.

SWEL acted rapidly to implement a monitoring program on behalf of the client, with an aim to reassure residents.

It was found that noise and vibration levels were for the most part below thresholds as described in the relevant British Standards, although there were some short term exceedances.

The situation has now been described to the residents and its is clear they have been reassured as the number of complaints has dropped significantly.

If you have any requirement for Noise and Vibration Monitoring please ring for a no obligation no charge discussion, and we will duly provide a fixed price quotation.

Farm Environmental Audit – Dorset

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Southwest Environmental Limited were commissioned by a national charity to make an Farm Environmental Audit or Review of there operations as a site in Dorset.

SWEL do undertake Agricultural work, this aspect suited or remit well in that the main focus of Environmental Audit was Surface Water Management and Waste Management both are topics we have considerable experience in.

A review was made of the premises, and a 21 page report was issued within 3 days of the visit, detailing findings and recommendations. We focused on low cost solutions to the problem in hand avoiding large capital expenditure requirements focusing on improvements to operating techniques and site management. 

Transfer Station Costings – Kent

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Southwest Environmental Limited have recently provided support to a company looking to establish a waste transfer station in Kent. The company were interested in costs of applying for an Environmental Permit. Besides the fees to the Environment Agency and Environmental Consultancy Fees, there are also various hardware and infrastructure costs to consider.

This is certainly the case with Fire Prevention where the EA request all manner of features installed to reduce risks from fire, and also fire water run-off.

Waste Transfer – Simple in Principal . . .  .

Based on our past experience with such matter SWEL prepared a list of requirements as we saw worst case. We included hardware costs and administrate costs on a spreadsheet (provided in XLS format) which we hope will be of use. The request was tuned around quickly in under 4 working days from commissioning.

Sequential Test Review – Rochford

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Southwest Environmental Limited have been commissioned by Rochford District Council , to make an independent review of a Sequential Test document on their behalf.

The site is within a regeneration area and as such the the search area justification for the site has been restricted to the regeneration area.

We have considerable experience in all things Flood Risk, and have been writing reports for 10 years this June. Much has changed over that time, but the Sequential Test has away been a problematic elements of flood risk reporting.

If you would like any help with reviewing your sequential test prior to submitting it to the council we would be happy to assist, we could also do the whole thing if you prefer.

Desktop Study – Slough

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Desktop Study – Slough

Acting on instruction from a client in Ealing Southwest Environmental Limited have prepared a desktop study fro site in Slough.

The desktop study has been made of the site and this revealed that historically the site was of primarily back garden use. But more recently had been used for other purposes.

As is normally the case SWEL order a comprehensive data set, so as to make a review of the site.

It was established that a Phase 2 Investigation is required, owing to current on site use, which is mixed between storage and vehicle repairs etc. 

The report was turned around in 5 days.

Drainage Report – Cullompton

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Drainage Report – Cullompton

Some areas of Cullompton are designated as a critical drainage area. You may have a planning condition which states that:

“As the application site falls within the Cullompton Critical Drainage Area, please submit a Flood risk Assessment”



A flood risk assessment typical is focused on flood risk to the site, when what is required in a Critical Drainage is a Surface Water Drainage Strategy.

The way to deal with most domestic / residential drainage requirement is permeable paves, with added features. Mots consider this an expensive option, but this is due to lack of understanding.

In order to capture run off you must provide a volume of “holding” (an attenuation volume) this usually provided my the spaces between gravels in a soak-away trench.

But why not use these same gravel as a sub-base for permeable paving? You will have to import fill for driveways anyhow. You end up using the aggregate twice for soak-away and for sub-base.

Water from roofs can be fed in to the sub base, and drive water just soaks straight in, avoid the requirement for gullies etc. There are no blockages from leaves.

Flood Risk Assessment – Devon

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Flood Risk Assessment – Devon

SWEL have recently completed a Flood Risk Assessment for a Site in Totnes, Devon. Our total turn around time for the production of the report was 7 workings days.

Detailed Flood Depth Data

Usual RoFRS Data but on High Resolution

The report includes in depth flood depth data, which was sourced on a quick turnaround.

The report include surface water details (brief), design details and sequential test. The site use type is not ordinary and we made a best case argument for vulnerability classification in this instance.

SWEL regularly prepare flood risk assessment for sites of all types across the UK. We aim to deliver a quick successful report which include a breadth of information suitable for the job in hand.

If you require a Flood Risk Assessment please Contact Us.

BRE 365 Soak-Away Tests – Gloucestershire

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BRE 365 Soak-Away Tests – Gloucestershire

SWEL were engaged to undertake BRE 365 soak-away testing at a site in Gloucestershire. The works includes site works and a full written report with design calculations and soak-away sizing calculations according to BRE 365. We include trial pit logs, photographs and extra information we feel may be of use, such as empirical strength estimates.

The site was fairly large and very hilly. Which would have made access rather difficult if it were not for pre-existing access tracks, and a disused railway line which serves as a spine road for our investigations!

There were various fallen trees etc. which had to be removed before we could start work, but our site staff normal carry a selection of cutting tools so as to get things moving as quickly as possible.

Access was Tight ion the Wooded Areas – Note Quarry Face to Rear

In the course of a very long day we managed to complete 7 trail holes, with BRE 365 soak-away testing carried out in each one.

Bedrock was quite shallow at some points across the site. The western extents of the site included a quarry and a disused railway tunnel.

Many of the Soak-Away Pits Reveled Large Limestone Cobbles.

Infiltration rates across the site were variable, reflecting the steep topography and disturbed nature of the ground. The valley bottom showed slower soak-age rates whilst the the infilled quarry showed very rapid soak-age rates, likely due to the use of a very course fill media.

The field work element of each test took between 30 mins and 2 hours, which many of the longer tests being run simultaneously.

Our water bowser was towed by an Instructor from the nearby Whitecliff 4×4 Centre, who was as skilled as he was amicable.

Flood Risk Assessment – Bristol

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Flood Risk Assessment – Bristol

SWEL were recently commissioned to undertake a flood risk assessment in Bristol. This site is an interesting one in terms of settings. As is resides within some characterful gardens walls, which have a curved to match the site boundary.

A Pub near the Site

The key as always with a good flood risk assessment is collecting a wide selection of data to characterize flood risk at the site. 3rd party data reveled flooding of significant depth on site, whilst the Environment Agency data from neighboring sites showed details that will aid in the design of the building.

The report also includes exceptions test, sequential test and surface water recommendations.