Rural Office Development

In todays' current financial climate, more and more farm owners are turning to diversification in the form of redevelopment of their existing rural land. Developing rural office space into both commercial and residential usage has become a lucrative business. However, in order to obtain planning permission for this land and to ensure that it is fit for development purposes, it must be shown that the land has been tested, assessed and cleared of any contamination. This incudes:

• Land contamination
• Air pollution
• Soil pollution
• Noise control.
• Water pollution.

Testing for existing or potential sources of pollution is vital as agriculture can be a major source of pollution. Chemicals and fertilisers used on farms can leak or spill and affect both the soil and the water supplies. Any risk to human health and to the environment has to be pre-empted to avoid any consequences (not least financially).

According to Government planning policy "contamination is not restricted to land with previous industrial uses, it can occur on greenfield as well as previously developed land and it can arise from natural sources as well as from human activities."

Environmental Responsibility for Rural Office Development Plans

Planning and pollution control systems go hand in hand and must be taken into consideration when planning a rural office development. Pollution control aims to prevent pollution by prohibiting or limiting substances released into the environment from various sources. Pollution control also incorporates ambient air and water quality. The planning system determines the location of a development which may give rise to pollution, assessing that it is an acceptable use of the land. There are many parties involved in ensuring that land is fit for purpose, from the Environment Agency to local authority planning officials and stakeholders. The Environmental Testing Company can consolidate these requirements and undertake all testing, monitoring and solution offered as a single source.

Solutions

If land is not tested for and cleared of contamination, there are well documented risks to human health, property and the wider environment. In order to save time and costs, it is essential to get the advice and assistance of a reputable company that is familiar with the handling and assessing of all aspects of testing for land contamination, and if necessary, undertake the remediation of the land for development purposes.