Risk assessments
The potential risk that any new cemetery development (including an extension to an existing cemetery) poses to the environment will be the primary focus of the Environment Agency (SEPA for Scotland) when it is consulted during the planning application process. It is therefore important that an appropriate risk assessment is conducted prior to seeking planning permission. TGMS, in collaboration with Peter Mitchell Associates, specialises in conducting risk assessments based on criteria stipulated by the EA, and has a strong track record in the design of bespoke engineering solutions to mitigate risk to the environment.
The approach adopted by TGMS has been developed to address criteria stipulated by the EA in the following documents:
Young, C. P., Blackmore, K. M., Reynolds, P. J. and Leavens, A. (1999). Pollution Potential of Cemeteries - Draft Guidance. WRc R & D Technical Report P223. ISBN: 1 85705 021 5.
Environment Agency. (2002). Assessing the Groundwater Pollution Potential of Cemetery Developments. Published by the Environment Agency.
Hart, A. and Casper, S. (2004). Potential Groundwater Pollutants from Cemeteries. Published by the Environment Agency. ISBN: 1 84432 347 1.
For most sites a desk study risk assessment, supplemented by observations made during a site visit, is conducted by Peter Mitchell Associates (termed a Tier 1) . For developments determined to be of low risk to the environment, the results from a Tier 1 risk assessment can be used to accompany a planning application.
For sites considered to be of intermediate or high risk to the environment, more detailed investigative work is conducted by TGMS (termed Tier 2 or Tier 3). This may include topographical and geophysical surveys, the excavation and interpretation of soil pits, the sinking of bore holes and the installation dipwells to facilitate the monitoring of groundwater over an extended period.
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