What is a Phase 1: Desktop Study?
A Phase 1: Desktop Study is the first step in investigating potentially contaminated land. It is required by planners, warranty companies and building control officers.
Also known as a Contaminated Land Risk Assessment or Preliminary Risk Assessment (PRA), we create reports to the national standard.

How is a Phase 1: Desktop Study carried out?
Our highly trained and extensively qualified experts undertake every desktop study. We perform a site walkover during every Phase 1: Desktop Study which the local authority requires. Usually, this comes at an additional price but we include a site walkover as standard.
As well as the site walkover, we also gather information on:
- Historical mapping
- Geology in the area
- Potentially contaminative land uses, past and present
- Hydrogeology
We then create a risk assessment or Conceptual Site Model (CSM) which is used to assess any potential risk to the end-user, construction workers, groundwater or habitats.

What does a Phase 1: Desktop Study report include?
- Provision of environment and geological data
- Review of historical maps
- Walkover survey by a qualified engineer
- Conceptual Site Model (CSM)
- Preliminary Risk Assessment (PRA)
- A simple to understand summary

Why choose Your Environment for your Desktop Study report?
- Low cost with no hidden extras
- Site walkover included
- 10-day turnaround (expedited service available)
- A report which is bespoke to your site
- Nationwide operation
- Carried out to CLR11 and national standards
- Designed to discharge planning conditions
Packages
We carry out all our Desktop Study Reports on a fixed fee basis with no hidden extras. Every report meets the requirements for planning condition discharge.
Not sure which Desktop Study you need? Get in touch, we’re happy to help with any queries.