Strategy Overview: Excavation to Landfill
Stuart Morris surveyed the site on behalf of our client in August 2015. The site comprised derelict warehouses and associated loading areas which had become overgrown with scrub and vegetation.
The site was planned for development for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and town houses with site clearance and demolition due to commence winter 2015.
What we did
Large Japanese knotweed strands were located on the periphery of the site within the proposed development footprint and therefore required remediation prior to development. Due to time constraints within the development plan, a chemical remediation package was not considered suitable for the site.
Mechanical remediation was considered as the quickest solution to remove the Japanese knotweed from within the site boundary and was favoured by the client as it allowed for a clean site prior to demolition of
With limited space within the development boundary, options for waste management areas or burial on site were deemed unviable and excavation to landfill was considered to be the most appropriate methodology. existing buildings thus reducing the risk of cross contamination.
Soil samples taken from site showed elevated levels of heavy metals including lead and arsenic. By approaching various waste disposal facilities we were able to secure the best price for the disposal, these saving savings onto the client.
To ensure that a clean site policy was maintained and to eliminate the risk of cross contamination, the client appointed JKSL to undertake the vegetation clearance works within designated ‘JK risk’ area.
The rhizome network was excavated leaving the area free of Japanese knotweed, ground excavations unveiled an historic supporting wall and a filled-in cellar from a previous building. Excavations were taken to this level and as an additional precaution and to prevent the migration back onto site, a geotextile membrane was installed across the affected area.
