Imagine a simple remortgaging conversation revealing that your house has no financial value. This was the harsh reality for one of thirteen residents in Bradford, who discovered that the developer not adhering to planning conditions had resulted in his home receiving a zero valuation on remortgaging.
The plight of the residents was shared in October 2020, on the BBC programme ‘Rip off Britain’. Details emerged that gas membranes had not been installed and verified as required by the planning conditions, and the developers had since ceased trading, leaving residents stranded and distraught.
With a wealth of experience in risk assessments and land remediation, EPG stepped in to examine the cases in detail. With an offer to investigate, free of charge, our Technical Director Steve Wilson sat down with some of the residents to discuss potential ways to resolve the problem. It became apparent that other planning conditions, relating to soakaways in the back gardens and an access road, had also not been complied with.
The homes are located adjacent to a former landfill site which is also an area of former coal mine workings. However, this does not automatically mean that there is a risk of gas ingress into the buildings. Using existing information, EPG built up a detailed conceptual site model (CSM). The CSM is a vital part of any gas risk assessment and crucially, the part where extra time and effort pays dividends.
It took over a week to drill down into the information and compile the model, which demonstrated that the risk of gas emissions was very low and gas membranes were not required. Furthermore, there was no need for further site investigation or gas monitoring to support this conclusion.
EPG can provide this service for developers, and the cost of the desk study is usually far less than the cost savings achieved by removing the need for gas protection or gas monitoring at the preliminary risk assessment stage. Even where gas monitoring is required, we can often reduce or completely remove the need for gas protection systems.
EPG also provided a revised specification and design for soakaways in the back gardens, with clients Alderburgh and JUTA (UK) kindly supplying the soakaway boxes and geotextile surround at no cost to the residents.
The final piece in the jigsaw was to meet with the Highway Authority and agree that the access road could remain unadopted (private), avoiding the need for remedial works to bring it up to highway standards. There was a small cross over strip at the entrance already owned by the Highway Authority and EPG designed and specified some simple works to resolve the issue.
EPG is part of a wider consultancy – STRI Group, and working alongside one of their senior planners, James Podesta, were able to submit a planning application to remove/vary the planning conditions to formalise amendments, and this was approved last year.
The work put into place will allow the homeowners to proceed as normal and we wish them all the best for the future.
Environmental Monitoring Manager, Leo Phillips, talks us through the work that EPG are carrying out during a ground gas monitoring visit on what will become part of an industrial estate.
As a company we are proud of the fact that we have contributed to much of the guidance on landfill, ground gas and VOC assessment within the UK; including British Standards BS8576, BS8485, CIRIA Reports C665, C735 and C748, Claire Research Bulletin RB17 and Claire Technical Bulletins TB16 and TB17.
Imagine a simple remortgaging conversation revealing that your house has no financial value. This was the harsh reality for one of thirteen residents in Bradford, who discovered that the developer not adhering to planning conditions had resulted in his home receiving a zero valuation on remortgaging.
The plight of the residents was shared in October 2020, on the BBC programme ‘Rip off Britain’. Details emerged that gas membranes had not been installed and verified as required by the planning conditions, and the developers had since ceased trading, leaving residents stranded and distraught.
With a wealth of experience in risk assessments and land remediation, EPG stepped in to examine the cases in detail. With an offer to investigate, free of charge, our Technical Director Steve Wilson sat down with some of the residents to discuss potential ways to resolve the problem. It became apparent that other planning conditions, relating to soakaways in the back gardens and an access road, had also not been complied with.
The homes are located adjacent to a former landfill site which is also an area of former coal mine workings. However, this does not automatically mean that there is a risk of gas ingress into the buildings. Using existing information, EPG built up a detailed conceptual site model (CSM). The CSM is a vital part of any gas risk assessment and crucially, the part where extra time and effort pays dividends.
It took over a week to drill down into the information and compile the model, which demonstrated that the risk of gas emissions was very low and gas membranes were not required. Furthermore, there was no need for further site investigation or gas monitoring to support this conclusion.
EPG can provide this service for developers, and the cost of the desk study is usually far less than the cost savings achieved by removing the need for gas protection or gas monitoring at the preliminary risk assessment stage. Even where gas monitoring is required, we can often reduce or completely remove the need for gas protection systems.
EPG also provided a revised specification and design for soakaways in the back gardens, with clients Alderburgh and JUTA (UK) kindly supplying the soakaway boxes and geotextile surround at no cost to the residents.
The final piece in the jigsaw was to meet with the Highway Authority and agree that the access road could remain unadopted (private), avoiding the need for remedial works to bring it up to highway standards. There was a small cross over strip at the entrance already owned by the Highway Authority and EPG designed and specified some simple works to resolve the issue.
EPG is part of a wider consultancy – STRI Group, and working alongside one of their senior planners, James Podesta, were able to submit a planning application to remove/vary the planning conditions to formalise amendments, and this was approved last year.
The work put into place will allow the homeowners to proceed as normal and we wish them all the best for the future.
As contaminated land risk assessors and designers, we have the greatest opportunity to minimise the carbon impact of developments on brownfield land. Similar to the waste hierarchy we learned at primary school, where the first priority is to Reduce, then Reuse, then Recycle, when it comes to remediation, the most sustainable option is often to do nothing. Better conceptualisation of a site and using detailed quantitative risk assessment (DQRA) can make this possible, but these tools are underutilised. Over-conservative assessments lead to over-engineered designs and unnecessary remediation works, contributing to the significant embodied carbon in the construction industry.
It should be considered environmentally irresponsible to specify remediation on the basis of a generic screening approach alone, without considering further assessment that could lead to a reduction in remediation. Remediation should not be used as a substitute for adequate investigation and assessment.
Most of the rhetoric and guidance/publications on sustainability in contaminated land to date (i.e. that produced by the CL:AIRE Sustainable Remediation Forum SuRF-UK) focuses on methods to minimise operational carbon emissions during remediation works. However, I argue that we could have a more significant impact on the carbon budget of a project if we consider the carbon impact earlier in the process and eliminate unnecessary remediation at the risk assessment stage.
As risk assessors and designers, we have a responsibility to design out carbon from our development projects wherever possible, in the same way that we have a duty to design out health and safety risks under CDM.
If climate change is causing deaths now at a rate of a few hundred tonnes of carbon dioxide per death, are our frameworks for assessing risk from contaminated land fit for purpose? Do we need to rethink the precautionary principles on which we operate? It also depends on people’s attitudes to risk. Perhaps climate change is so well-known and accepted in society now that we accept the fact that people all over the world are dying in climate related natural disasters. Our appetite for health risks associated with ground contamination (i.e. toxins in our garden soils, or carcinogenic vapours in our homes or workplaces) may be different.
Never-the-less there is far more that can be done within the existing frameworks and acceptable minimal risk levels. Remediation is being over specified on the basis of theoretical risks that are poorly determined.
In summary, as contaminated land risk assessors and designers, we have the power to minimise the carbon impact of developments on brownfield land. The most efficient way to do this is by intervening early. This means that before considering remediation, we should better conceptualise a site and use DQRA to determine if no action is the most sustainable option.
This is the approach that is always taken at EPG. We pride ourselves on delivering the most sustainable solution for a site, and are never afraid of offering an innovative assessment or bespoke approach to get there. This can have the added benefit of saving our clients significant sums of money in the construction phase.
But what will the future of contaminated land assessment look like in the context of climate destruction and the race to net zero? Should we incorporate the carbon cost of a human life into a new holistic framework for construction and remediation on brownfield land that considers the need for development and remedial intervention against the actual human cost? By changing the narrative and talking about carbon footprints in terms of death rates, we can increase awareness of the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to transition to net zero as quickly as possible.
Improving standards in contaminated land risk assessment through increased use of DQRA, education and training, and new targeted research, will allow for a reduction in the carbon footprint of our industry. As well as saving money on development projects. Development of standardised tools for measuring the carbon impact of remediation works, will allow us to manage this effectively. And incorporation of the concept of the “carbon cost of a life” would allow for comparison of carbon budgets, with human health risks.
Better risk assessment is integral to reducing carbon emissions in remediation of brownfield land. Let us work together to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is delighted to welcome their new Head of Water, Jacqueline Diaz-Nieto.
Jacqueline joins EPG to lead the water department and brings with her a wealth of experience in the industry. EPG has an established water team and is committed to ensuring innovative, sustainable solutions become a fundamental part of urban and sports designs. Jacqueline will use her extensive expertise in sustainable drainage (SuDS) to address flooding issues and deliver the multiple benefits of SuDS for communities.
A chartered water and environmental manager with CIWEM, she has over ten years’ experience in the water industry and is currently working towards Chartered Engineer status with the Institute of Civil Engineers.
Jacqueline has a BSc in Geography from UCL, which she followed with a MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Management. Following time in a research role in South America, she then studied for a PhD in urban flooding and sustainable drainage at the University of Sheffield.
Jacqueline then worked for over 10 years in the water industry, first at Yorkshire Water and most recently at Severn Trent, as a technical specialist promoting and championing SuDS and then a senior design engineer.
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is now a registered Urban Design Practitioner with the Urban Design Group.
Founded in 1978, the Urban Design Group (UDG) is a campaigning membership organisation dedicated to raising the standards of urban design to improve the quality of life in our cities, towns and villages.
Through its work as a geo-environmental engineering design consultancy, EPG is well-placed to positively influence the built environment, and is committed to providing clients with futureproof solutions that help to protect and enhance our precious environments.
Phil Williams, EPG’s Technical Director, commented:
“Designing solutions that protect the environment is at the core of what we do, and being part of organisations which enable us to join forces with like-minded companies and individuals is key to making this a fundamental principle of urban design.
“The recent government decision to implement schedule 3 of The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 which will mandate sustainable drainage (SuDS) in new developments is an very positive step forward, but there is so much more we can do. I’m looking forward to working alongside others in the Urban Design Group to educate and influence decision makers.”
We currently have a vacancy for a motivated graduate to join a growing team at our office in Bingley, West Yorkshire.
The successful candidate will help us to deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high-profile clients. While you’ll be given appropriate responsibilities from day one, we’ll give you the chance to take on more as you progress and broaden your skills through training from our team of industry experts
Your work would include, among other things:
- Working with EPG’s colleagues in specialisms such as contaminated land investigation, ground gas risk assessment, vapour intrusion risk assessment, mitigation design and design of remediation strategies.
- Site work including ground gas, groundwater and vapour monitoring and sampling.
- Working with and meeting clients and collaborators such as contractors, consultants, architects, landscape architects, manufacturers, local authorities and others.
- Specifying and analysing relevant information to enable design e.g. ground investigation data, survey information, ground gas monitoring data, geological data etc.
- Undertaking feasibility studies and preparing technical reports.
- Producing conceptual site models and cross-sections.
- Using software packages such as GIS, Scalgo, Grapher, GasSim, CAD and CorelDRAW.
- Managing your own time and deadlines to meet project commitments.
- Undertaking regular training to further enhance your career development.
The role will include some travel throughout the UK to undertake site work.
If you have a degree in a relevant subject and are enthusiastic about a career in contaminated land, engineering and environmental science and want to work as part of a dynamic and forward-looking organisation, then we would like to hear from you.
About you
Essential
- Degree in Civil Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science or other related field.
- Highly motivated individual with good organisational and analytical skills.
- Initiative to work individually or as part of a wider team.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to show initiative and creativity in problem solving.
- An interest in the environment and sustainable development.
- A keen eye for detail.
- Excellent word processing and excel skills, along with general IT proficiency.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Basic GIS skills.
- Report writing experience.
- Experience working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
How to apply
Please send a CV (two A4 pages maximum) and covering letter (500 words maximum) to recruitment@epg-ltd.co.uk.
About EPG
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG), established in 1998, is a leading independent Geo-Environmental Engineering Design Consultancy delivering cost-effective, sustainable designs; focused in the areas of contaminated land remediation and gas protection, sustainable water management, flood risk assessment and structural waterproofing.
We provide a professional, comprehensive design service offering uncompromising design excellence. Our core values include combining regulatory compliance with complimentary innovative ideas and technologies to ensure we deliver robust, leading edge, cost-effective design solutions. Our client base ranges from government agencies, major developers and contractors to small individual private clients and our service offering encompasses the complete cross-section of the construction sector.
About STRI
EPG is part of the STRI Group focused on sport and outdoor recreation, sustainable development, green infrastructure, and water management sectors with its head office in Bingley, West Yorkshire. STRI is a world leading sports surface solutions, environment and green infrastructure development business. With research and innovation at its heart STRI is an exciting environment to work, where new ideas are always welcomed.
Environmental Protection Group (EPG), part of STRI Group, is delighted to have partnered with Jersey-based engineering company, T&G. This partnership will ensure developers on the Channel Islands are able to effectively comply with new government policies on flood risk assessment and water management.
The recently published Bridging Island Plan highlights the increased chance of flooding as global warming threatens to increase freak weather events and raise sea levels.
In response, government planners on the Channel Islands now expect a flood risk assessment carried out as part of the planning process undertaken by home builders and developers. This will determine whether any new construction faces a low, medium or high risk of flooding – either in the present or future – and what steps could be taken to minimise the possible impact if there proves to be a threat.
The partnership comes in response to new government policy and the need to support clients, capitalising on T&G’s local knowledge and expertise as well as EPG’s ample skills and experience in sustainable water management. Made up of experienced engineers and technicians, T&G have completed in excess of 15,000 separate commissions throughout the Channel Islands and the UK by bringing an innovative approach to problem solving in a personal yet professional manner.
‘We’ve had a good working relationship with EPG for over a decade,’ comments T&G director Marcus Taylor, ‘with the company contributing specialist water management services during that time.
‘The new government policy increases the need for such services, so a more structured partnership makes sense. The arrangement also allows T&G clients to receive cost-effective solutions tailored to suit local conditions while ensuring delivery of wider Island sustainability policies. With the threat of flooding potentially increasing in some areas of the Island in coming years, both parties are looking forward to working together leading the local response.’
Alongside flood risk assessments, T&G and EPG are also developing a range of environmentally focused flood mitigation and minimisation solutions.
‘The UK has a head start in this,’ adds EPG director Phil Williams, ‘with sustainable water management policies in place for new developments for several years. Bringing our experience in this field to complement T&G’s local industry and market knowledge will lay the foundations for a strong partnership into the future.’
Environmental Protection Group (EPG), part of STRI Group, is delighted to have partnered with Jersey-based engineering company, T&G. This partnership will ensure developers on the Channel Islands are able to effectively comply with new government policies on flood risk assessment and water management.
The recently published Bridging Island Plan highlights the increased chance of flooding as global warming threatens to increase freak weather events and raise sea levels.
In response, government planners on the Channel Islands now expect a flood risk assessment carried out as part of the planning process undertaken by home builders and developers. This will determine whether any new construction faces a low, medium or high risk of flooding – either in the present or future – and what steps could be taken to minimise the possible impact if there proves to be a threat.
The partnership comes in response to new government policy and the need to support clients, capitalising on T&G’s local knowledge and expertise as well as EPG’s ample skills and experience in sustainable water management. Made up of experienced engineers and technicians, T&G have completed in excess of 15,000 separate commissions throughout the Channel Islands and the UK by bringing an innovative approach to problem solving in a personal yet professional manner.
‘We’ve had a good working relationship with EPG for over a decade,’ comments T&G director Marcus Taylor, ‘with the company contributing specialist water management services during that time.
‘The new government policy increases the need for such services, so a more structured partnership makes sense. The arrangement also allows T&G clients to receive cost-effective solutions tailored to suit local conditions while ensuring delivery of wider Island sustainability policies. With the threat of flooding potentially increasing in some areas of the Island in coming years, both parties are looking forward to working together leading the local response.’
Alongside flood risk assessments, T&G and EPG are also developing a range of environmentally focused flood mitigation and minimisation solutions.
‘The UK has a head start in this,’ adds EPG director Phil Williams, ‘with sustainable water management policies in place for new developments for several years. Bringing our experience in this field to complement T&G’s local industry and market knowledge will lay the foundations for a strong partnership into the future.’
Environmental Protection Group (EPG), part of STRI Group, is delighted to have partnered with Jersey-based engineering company, T&G. This partnership will ensure developers on the Channel Islands are able to effectively comply with new government policies on flood risk assessment and water management.
The recently published Bridging Island Plan highlights the increased chance of flooding as global warming threatens to increase freak weather events and raise sea levels.
In response, government planners on the Channel Islands now expect a flood risk assessment carried out as part of the planning process undertaken by home builders and developers. This will determine whether any new construction faces a low, medium or high risk of flooding – either in the present or future – and what steps could be taken to minimise the possible impact if there proves to be a threat.
The partnership comes in response to new government policy and the need to support clients, capitalising on T&G’s local knowledge and expertise as well as EPG’s ample skills and experience in sustainable water management. Made up of experienced engineers and technicians, T&G have completed in excess of 15,000 separate commissions throughout the Channel Islands and the UK by bringing an innovative approach to problem solving in a personal yet professional manner.
‘We’ve had a good working relationship with EPG for over a decade,’ comments T&G director Marcus Taylor, ‘with the company contributing specialist water management services during that time.
‘The new government policy increases the need for such services, so a more structured partnership makes sense. The arrangement also allows T&G clients to receive cost-effective solutions tailored to suit local conditions while ensuring delivery of wider Island sustainability policies. With the threat of flooding potentially increasing in some areas of the Island in coming years, both parties are looking forward to working together leading the local response.’
Alongside flood risk assessments, T&G and EPG are also developing a range of environmentally focused flood mitigation and minimisation solutions.
‘The UK has a head start in this,’ adds EPG director Phil Williams, ‘with sustainable water management policies in place for new developments for several years. Bringing our experience in this field to complement T&G’s local industry and market knowledge will lay the foundations for a strong partnership into the future.’
