Environmental Searches

What is an Environmental Search?

An environmental search is an investigation conducted in line with property conveyancing to highlight and compile details about any potential environmental risks or conditions associated with a particular piece of land or property.

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Groundwise is a reseller of Groundsure Insight Reports.

Map Insight

Map Insight provides the highest quality old map imagery on the market as standard. Available as PDF and Geotiffs.

Groundsure’s historic Ordnance Survey mapping is scanned at over 500 dots per inch (dpi), setting a new industry standard. The sharper imagery means the information on the old maps is clear and more accurate, enabling greater confidence in your opinion.

Groundsure map packs are available in three formats which can include both National Grid and County Series maps.

Historical Maps

Groundsure’s old maps date back to the 1840s to provide detailed insight into historical land use to understand the potential contaminated land risks and associated liabilities.

Details from the original marginalia information are also included such as surveyed, leveled and copyright dates.

This additional inspection ensures you have everything you need to provide an accurate and informed opinion.

Enviro Insight

Enviro Insight Report is an essential part of Environmental Consultant’s desktop study.

Delivers detailed and accurate information using an extensive range of datasets including environmental permits, contaminative processes and registers, waste, hydrogeology and geology – helping you to provide a definitive opinion for your clients.

Available as PDF and raw data for GIS.

Enviro Insight provides comprehensive contaminated land information on past and current land use from a multitude of sources, including our National Brownfield Risk Model (NBRM), and data from third party providers including the EA/SEPA, BGS, local authorities and the HSE. The report also includes detailed site setting information covering detailed flooding, hydrogeology, hydrology and designations data, essential for any consultant’s desktop study.

The Enviro Insight is full of features to enable efficient navigation, facilitating quick identification and assessment of the significant issues for your site. Improved data styling, modern background
mapping, enhanced feature labelling and dynamic map legends provide a clear visual display of identified data.

The Enviro Insight also accesses Groundsure’s unique Historic Land Use Database (HLUD) which features the most accurate and reliable information available on the market. Our HLUD is derived from historic Ordnance Survey mapping dating back to the 1840s, features over 7000 land use classifications and is scanned in at over 500dpi – setting a new industry standard.

Key Features of Enviro Insights:

• Comprehensive contaminated land information utilising the most comprehensive data available including our National Brownfield Risk Model (NBRM).
• Environmental permits, active and historic landfill and waste sites and current industrial sites.
• OS MasterMap site plan (for sites <10ha).
• Recent and historical aerial imagery.
• Aggregated historical land use data.
• Pollution inventory data.
• Detailed flood data.
• Waste exemptions.
• Enhanced planning and development designations.
• Groundsure’s unique ordnance and military database.
• National Grid gas pipeline and electricity transmission lines.
• Detail on hydrology and hydrogeology.

Key Benefits of Enviro Insights:

• Grouped Historical Land Use Database included as standard.
• Pollution inventory data describes in detail the substances and quantities emitted at current industrial sites.
• Unrivalled data content. Many unique and proprietary datasets are included that are available nowhere else.

Geo Insight

A detailed geological data report combining BGS data with unique geological and geo-hazard datasets developed by Groundsure.

Geo Insight is essential for geo-environmental professionals and their clients to make informed decisions and identify potential ground instability and other potentially costly problems that may affect ground investigation, foundation design or possible remediation options.

Geological data report available as PDF & raw data for GIS.

Geo Insight is full of features to enable efficient navigation, facilitating quick identification and assessment of the significant issues for your site. Improved data styling, modern background
mapping, enhanced feature labelling and dynamic map legends provide a clear visual display of identified data.

Features include mining, ground workings, cavities and sinkholes. 

10k BGS geology data is provided as standard alongside comprehensive geological data from a variety of sources. Also includes unique ground workings data derived from our collection of historical OS maps, and railway infrastructure data including tunnel locations and depths for both the London Underground and the Royal Mail Tunnels. The data on current and historical railways and tunnels is a level of detail which isn’t available in any other desktop report. It also features BGS recorded boreholes, with hyperlinks to online digitised records.

Key Features of Geo Insights:

• 10k BGS geology data as standard.
• Unique Groundsure made mining and sinkhole data, created by experts from various collections and sources, identified from BGS Geological mapping and mine plans sourced.
  from the BGS and various collections and sources.
• London Underground and other subway information.
• Hyperlinked BGS borehole’s to online records.
• Exclusive mining and extraction database.
  Clear and concise report summary.
• Detailed BGS records of artificial, superficial and bedrock geology at 1:50,000 and 1:10,000 scale (where available).
• Bedrock permeability and faults.
• Unique historical surface and underground workings database.
• Mining ground workings and natural cavities data.
• Royal Mail Tunnels data.
• BGS non-coal mining hazards data.
• Site specific radon information.

Key Benefits of Geo Insights:

• In-depth data and product sets.
• 10k geology included as standard. The highest geological mapping giving the greatest certainty about ground conditions at a site.
• Bespoke reports and data available with report packages tailored to your specific requirements.

Flood Insight

Delivers detailed and accurate information using flood risk datasets from leading providers including the Environment Agency, British Geological Survey and JBA Risk Management, helping you to provide a definitive opinion for your clients.

This report provides accurate, clear and insightful information for consultants to have greater accuracy in their opinion, ensuring appropriate due diligence for their clients.

UXO_FEATURED Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

A unique desktop search report that identifies the potential risks from unexploded ordnance (UXO) that could affect your client’s construction project.

The UK was heavily bombed and shelled in both world wars. It is estimated that up to 50% of all UK land has had some military activity on it, with some 10% of all historic munitions failing to explode. UXO could be found anywhere nationally and past poor practice has left many sites exposed to the risk.

As more building projects are developed it’s essential to understand the potential risks of UXO within the vicinity of your client’s site. Unexpected discoveries could lead to delays with project timescales as well as racking up additional costs for your client, and so by undertaking this search your clients have a comprehensive view on risks.

This report also covers the possible health and safety risks for contractors under CDM 2015.

Key Features of UXO (Unexploded Ordnance):

• Analysis of over 3000 projects to mitigate bomb risks on development sites since 1991.
• Accurate bomb density mapping based from Ordnance Survey maps 1931-1944.
• Extensive archive of previous bomb excavation works and threat assessment.
• Bomb, V1 and V2 strike locations from original war records and area damage assessments (London only).
• UXO risk assessment – contour maps applied around potential source of strike locations.

Key Benefits of UXO (Unexploded Ordnance):

• Aids compliance to CDM Regulations and HASAWA that require risks to be identified, managed and mitigated.
• Supports CIRIA C681 – UXO guidance for Construction Industry recommends Preliminary Risk Assessment for sites with a potential UXO risk.
• Enables the first step in reducing the UXO risk in accordance with ALARP principle.

GeoRisk+

Mining and Stability covered in Every Transaction.

Historic mining and ground stability affects properties across the country, not just in coal mining areas – your clients’ transactions need protecting.
Did you know that over 60 minerals have been mined, quarried and extracted at some point in the UK and affect all regions? These are all covered with a GeoRisk + mining and stability report.

GeoRisk+ Report covers:

• Non-coal mining (with opinion provided by an in-house mining expert).
• Ground stability (non-mining, both natural and non-natural).
• Satellite monitoring (recorded ‘real-world’ ground movement brought to you by SatSense).
• BGS landslide data.
• Coastal Erosion data.
• A fully comprehensive CON29M Official Coal Mining Search Report (including a mine entry interpretive assessment).
• A Cheshire Salt Search where required.

Key Benefits of GeoRisk+ Reports:

• Extensive and comprehensive data – the single largest collection of mining and ground stability data in the UK.
• Access to expert mining consultants who provide essential insights and risk assessments.
• More complex sites can be reviewed in more detail at extra cost.
• Includes several unique datasets – recorded satellite ground movement data and coastal erosion data
• Saves time and money with a competitively priced suite of reports and certificates.

Need an environmental search or looking for more info? Contact us.

To confirm your requirements and fee, please contact us via email at [email protected] or use our Quote Request Form.