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Desktop Study – London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

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Desktop Study – London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Southwest Environmental Limited were commissioned to undertake a Desktop Study in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Hammersmith and Fulham is to the west of central London. Sub regions include Fulham in the South, Hammersmith in the center and White City in the North. At the northern tip of the borough is Wormwood Scrubs Park.

The report to discharge a planning condition related to contaminated land. The planning permission was for a residential conversion of a garage. Typically with a garage (and we would not guarantee this) if the garage appears clean and does not show evidence of heavy use (leaking oils etc) we would likely recommend nothing more than a “watching brief”.

Band Riveting . . . a lost art, when a Coffee Mug costs 99p

However, in this instance the site had been used for “band riveting” which we had to google, because we didn’t know what band riveting was! Having had a read on the subject it would appear that the process involves the use of solder. . . ergo fluxes one would think.

Although we were content that this use would unlikely impact on the residents of the proposed dwelling that remained indoors, there was a risk that the garden area was contaminated from discarded solder and flux. However, we subsequently learnt that the proposed garden area used to be part of a neighboring residential plot, and there was no access to it during the time of this band riveting activity.

So in the end we recommended no further action and a watching brief. The report was submitted to the EHO for scrutiny it has been return with some minor amendments requested, and is now passed off.

Air Quality Impact Assessment Horsham, West Sussex

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Air Quality Impact Assessment Horsham, West Sussex

Southwest Environmental Limited were engaged to undertake an Air Quality Assessment in Horsham. Ordinarily we would undertake an Air Quality Assessment in support of a planning application. But in this instance we were engaged by a Housing Association to undertake an Air Quality Assessment for a proposed development adjacent to their property.

The Housing Association were concerned that dust and gaseous emissions from the proposed demolition and construction activities would impact on their residents health.

We had a great deal of support from the Environmental Health Officer at the District Council, who proved invaluable in ensuring  our documents were put before the right people.

When working against a planning application such as was the case here, the biggest problem is often getting you report (regardless of how valid the conclusions are) in front of anyone with power to act.

We were lucky in this instance that there were various conditions of planning which were left unfinished, and as such we were able to comment on these as they were discharged.

The Air Quality Assessment Focus on applicable management practices for dust mitigation, monitoring requirements and methods for both dust and gaseous emissions. The baseline air quality report which was submitted with the initial application was rather limited in scope despite being accepted as adequate. However, it proved useful as it provided an overview of available secondary air quality data for the area.

SWEL also undertook a Noise Impact Assessment at the same site.

Surface Water Drainage Strategy & Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan Tilbury

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Surface Water Drainage Strategy & Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan Tilbury

Southwest Environmental were instructed to undertake a Surface Water Drainage Strategy for a commercial development in the Port of Tilbury.

A few weeks after this initial instruction we were also advised to proceed with a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan.

In both cases the key was  building up sufficient evidence in order to ascertain risks accurately, and then implement migratory measures and evacuation procedures based on those risks.

Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan

There has been historic flooding in Tilbury, and flood water can take many days to recede after an event. The flood defenses in Tilbury do provide a good level of protection but, it is important to consider over topping events.

Although the site should remain high during a flood it is thought, that workers may be isolated for a number of days. To that end a list of long life provisions was included in the Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan. Image from here.

Surface Water Drainage Strategy

The site is to be entirely covered in concrete surfaces, there is also wash water from the intended use that must be disposed of.

Surface Water and Foul Water systems were kept separate in the conceptual design, additional measures were taken to ensure that this was so, although changes to design were kept to a minimum.

The port has a complex private drainage system, and this was studied in deatil to suggest applicable options moving forward.

ciria_mitigation_indices

Surface water was disposed of to the Thames River (which runs through London) via the Open Botany Drainage Channel and Botany Sluice. Water Qaulity to the Thames was subject to new CIRIA Mitigation Indices (above).

Flood Risk Assessment Kent

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Flood Risk Assessment Kent

SWEL were instructed to undertake a Flood Risk Assessment for a proposed development in Romney Marsh, Kent. For a Residential Development.

The scheme saw the construction of 2 homes, on a site occupied by a dilapidated bungalow.

A Wider Variety of Flood Risk Data was Used to form an Opinion

Key the flood risk assessment was establishing the level of protection afforded by the coastal defenses in the area, we arranged to have data supplied on the sea defenses which showed they were in good condition and that they were gave an applicable protection level.

Advise was included on required attenuation volumes, and any special construction techniques.

The sequential test was a key part of the report. We include a sequential test in our flood risk assessment as standard. . .if it is required.

Sunlight Daylight Assessment Cornwall

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Sunlight Daylight Assessment Cornwall 

Acting on instruction from a client in Exeter, Southwest Environmental Limited have prepared a Sunlight and Daylight Assessment for a Site in Bude, Cornwall.

The report was to check impacts on an existing property. SWEL used the well established (and normally applied) BR209 assessment method to derive VSC and Daylight Values for neighboring windows.

All was found to be well and good. And the design was considering applicable given the context of sunlight and daylight.

The proposed building was 3 stories in height and was set back approximately 20 meters from the existing building which was though worst affected. The worst affected window experienced a 12% drop in day light, with the guide allowing for 20%.

Water Quality Impact Assessment – Kent

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Water Quality Impact Assessment – Kent

Southwest Environmental Limited wear commissioned by a client from the Midlands, to undertake a Water Quality Impact Assessment in Kent. The assessment was for a proposed activity in a water body, where the water quality of said water body was very important to various stakeholders.

Luckily there was pre-existing monitoring data available from a pre-existing site which was utilised to form a baseline study.

The main risk from the activity was judged to be biological contamination of the water body. However, all the potentially impacted stakeholders would like not be affected owing to treatment of the water prior to use that would eliminate the biological contamination.

E Coli – A common Marker for Coliforms

The Water Quality Impact Assessment also identified that the baseline levels of pathogens within the water body as existing were relatively high, this was likely to introduction for farm land and water fowl. As the levels of these pathogens in baseline sample data fluctuated according to rainfall, which in the case of farm land / manure at least would indicate run-off as a source.

ADF Daylight Assessment – Lambeth SW4

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ADF Daylight Assessment – Lambeth SW4

Southwest Environmental Limited have recently issued a ADF Daylight Assessment Report for a project in Lambeth.

The design of the project was most unusual. It consisted of a dwelling being built in a gap in a row of terraced houses. Instead of using the full available height to match the existing houses, the development makes use of a basement and a ground floor level only. As such is fairly unique in appearance certainly when considering the immediate vicinity.

Basement & Ground Floor Only Design

This low level construction obviously aided in the minimisation of any day lighting or sun lighting issues, and the dwelling met all criteria relating to external impacts as described in BR209. Interior lighting was found to be excellent throughout with ADF values exceeding guide minimum values by some margin.

SWEL regulatory carry out Sunlight and Daylight Assessments across the Greater London Area. Our reports are well received and we pride our selves on a quick turnaround, often in 5 working days or less.

The above image is reproduced courtesy of Tekton Design & Build SW18.

Part B Permit Application – Wood Waste Burner – Somerset

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Part B Permit Application – Wood Waste Burner – Somerset

Acting on instructions from a client in Somerset, Southwest Environmental Limited have started a Part B Permit Application for a number of Wood Waste Burners or Incinerators.

The wood waste burners are located at the clients base of operation and are used to:

  1. Dispose of Wood Waste
  2. Provide a Source of Heat
The Part B Application will include the interpretation of monitoring data to assess impacts on nearby receptors. 
The manufactures information, suggests that the burners operate at a high temperature, and this reduces emissions. Low temperature combustion typically emits more emissions, this is why many incinerators have an “after burner” which is where fuel is used to burn off any unwanted emissions prior to further abatement. 

Planning Application for Waste Transfer Station – Hereford

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Planning Application for Waste Transfer Station

Southwest Environmental Limited have been commissioned to undertake a planning application for a Waste Transfer Station in Hereford. We provide this service nation wide to wide range of clients.

The proposed transfer station would see up a planning application ahead of a permit application for a general waste transfer station, for the storage, treatment and transfer of wastes.

At present the site used as a builders yard, but the application will see the incorporation of 25 x 25 meter industrial building, weighbridge, storm water system, fire water system and leachate management system.

Impacts considered during the application will be noise, transport and possibly odour. The site is well situated as it is not close to any residential properties.

Southwest Environmental have thus far produced project drawings including Site Location, Building Plans, Layout Plans, Drainage Plans and a Design and Access Statement in support of the project.

Planning Applications London 

Flood Risk Assessment – Catford SE6

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Flood Risk Assessment – Catford SE6

Southwest Environmental Limited were commissioned by a client to undertake a Flood Risk Assessment at a site in South East London.

The project was for conversion of a basement to living quarters. This is usually one of the more difficult situation to get passed off with the Environment Agency (as consultees in planning) as a flooded basement is not a very good thing / situation:

  • It is hard to dry out.
  • It is hard to get flood data (most relates to ground level).
  • Hard to prove people will be safe.
All these things / factors  stack up against the normal bunch / collection of criteria / things that must be met to satisfy both the Environment Agency and the Local Planning Authority. 
In this instance there was a slight advantage as the basement on this site was more akin to a lower ground floor, being open on 3 sides, only being below ground level on the street frontage. 
However, it has still been necessary to make a detailed study of  site levels relative to the flood levels. Only in this way can SWEL provide mitigation measures when considering the risk involved.