Phase 1 Desk Study & Preliminary Risk Assessment

A Phase 1 Desk Study, also known as a Phase 1 Desktop Study, is a non-intrusive assessment of a site’s history, ground conditions and environmental setting, supported by a site walkover. It identifies potential constraints before land acquisition, planning or development. The service is also commonly described as a Phase 1 Site Investigation.

The land contamination element is a Tier 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment under Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM), also referred to as a Phase 1 contaminated land assessment. It includes an initial Conceptual Site Model.

Phase 1 reviews existing information and site observations to identify potential risks and gaps in the evidence. Phase 2 gathers new information through targeted intrusive investigation, which may include boreholes, trial pits, soil testing, and gas or groundwater monitoring. The Phase 1 findings help define the scope of any subsequent investigation.

Find out more about our Phase 2 Ground Investigation service.

Further investigation may be needed where Phase 1 identifies potential contamination linkages, unresolved geotechnical risks or insufficient information to assess the proposed development reliably. It can also be needed to obtain ground parameters for design. Northpoint explains which uncertainties need resolving and recommends a proportionate scope, methodology and programme.

A desk study may be required where a site’s history, surrounding land uses or proposed development raise concerns about contamination or ground conditions. Greenfield land can still have constraints associated with former uses, infilled ground, mining or nearby activities. Requirements depend on the site, development proposals and local planning authority. Completing the assessment early helps inform the application and subsequent work.

Yes. Northpoint considers potential engineering constraints alongside geoenvironmental risks. These can include variable or made ground, ground stability, mining legacy and groundwater conditions, together with potential contamination, ground gas and vapour risks. The report identifies preliminary implications for development and foundations; detailed design is informed by further ground investigation where required.

Northpoint includes a photographed site walkover to check the desk-based findings against observable conditions and record relevant features, access restrictions and limitations. Routine drilling, trial pits, soil sampling and laboratory testing are not included in the desk study itself. Where needed, these are scoped separately as part of further investigation.

You receive a site-specific PDF report with an executive summary, walkover findings, relevant plans, photographs and supporting records. It sets out the preliminary ground model and Conceptual Site Model, explains potential geotechnical and land contamination risks, uncertainties, limitations and development implications, and provides clear conclusions and recommendations for further work.

Geoenvironmental reporting follows LCRM and BS 10175, with geotechnical appraisal informed by BS 5930 and Eurocode 7. The assessment takes account of the planning and regulatory context in the relevant UK nation.

The report provides technical evidence to support a planning application, condition submission or lender’s review. We agree the intended purpose and review relevant requirements at instruction. Acceptance depends on the findings and the reviewing authority or organisation; further investigation or assessment may be required. A Phase 1 report does not, by itself, guarantee planning approval or discharge every ground-related condition.

Our typical turnaround is around two weeks from instruction. The programme depends on the site’s complexity, availability of records and access for the walkover. We confirm the scope, information needed and delivery date before starting, so the assessment can be coordinated with your planning or development programme.

Please provide the site address and red-line boundary, proposed development or intended use, and any relevant planning conditions or consultation responses. Existing desk studies, ground investigation reports and site plans are also useful. We will confirm any additional information needed and arrange access for the walkover with your nominated site contact.

The fee depends on the site’s size, complexity, information requirements and reporting scope. Once we have your site boundary and development proposals, Northpoint provides a fixed quotation with a clearly defined scope. Any additional investigations or specialist assessments are identified and agreed separately.

Request a desk study quotation.

An existing report may provide useful evidence, but its suitability depends on its scope, date, information sources, site changes and relevance to the current proposals. We can review previous reports, identify gaps and advise whether an update or new assessment is needed. The intended recipient’s requirements and arrangements for relying on the report also need to be considered.