Summary
Effective site investigation is of paramount importance for the successful cost effective establishment of sustainable greenspace. Site investigation provides information on ecological, historical, physical and chemical liabilities, opportunities and constraints.
By their nature, brownfield sites are often associated with important industrial archaeology and may also be home to important ecological species and habitats. Such inherent benefits should be preserved or enhanced.
Sites may also harbour contaminants which if left unchecked could pose a significant risk to receptors such as humans, buildings, livestock and waterbodies. Site investigation aims to cost-effectively identify such risks and opportunities.
Integrated Remediation, Reclamation and Greenspace Creation on Brownfield Land (PDF-576K)
SUBR:IM bulletin 11
Research objectives
- Development of bioindicators of metal toxicity to vegetation
- Testing in situ techniques of measuring soil metal concentrations
- Site investigation procedures for greenspace establishment
- Ecological Impact Assessments
Funders and partners
The main funders and partners of this research are:
- ARUP
- CL:AIRE
- English Partnerships
- Forestry Commission Reclamation of man-made sites for forestry programme
- Tilfen Land
Forestry Commission policy
Use of land degraded by former industrial and urban activity makes an increasingly important contribution to the expansion of woodland. Trees planted on such sites offer immense social benefits in addition to the possibility of economic activity on formerly unproductive land. This programme supports the related objectives of the English Forestry Strategy and across Great Britain generally.
Status
This research began in 2003 and is planned to be completed in 2007.
Contact
For more information contact:
Tony Hutchings
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
Tel: +44(0)1420 5265270
Fax: +44(0)1420 520180
Email: tony.hutchings@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
