When this service may be useful
Ground investigation provides the site-specific evidence that desk studies cannot. It is often needed for basements, new buildings, poor ground or where a council's basement policy requires site data.
Structure, basements & ground
Ground Investigation Reports
Intrusive investigation of ground and groundwater conditions, with a factual report for design and planning.
How the work is approached
The investigation is scoped from the desk study and the proposal, then carried out with appropriate boreholes, trial pits, sampling and testing. Utility searches and access are agreed before work starts.
What you receive
You receive a factual report of the ground and groundwater conditions encountered, with recommendations. Interpretive geotechnical design and long-term monitoring are confirmed separately where required.
What we need to start
Site address, proposals, access arrangements and any desk study.
We review the site, proposal and planning stage to agree the appropriate scope. The work is carried out by a suitably qualified specialist we appoint, named in your fee proposal.
How our planning consultancy process worksILLUSTRATIVE REPORT PREVIEW
Ground Investigation Report
Front cover and contents page examples. The document structure is tailored to your instruction, site and relevant planning requirements.
What the report should contain
This outline explains the purpose of each section. The final contents depend on the agreed scope, available evidence and requirements of the local planning authority.
Document control & executive summary
Project details, reference, revision, date, author, reviewer and a concise summary of the key findings.
Objectives & scope
What the investigation set out to establish.
Site works
Boreholes, trial pits, sampling and in-situ testing carried out.
Ground conditions encountered
Strata, made ground and observations.
Groundwater
Groundwater strikes and monitoring results.
Laboratory testing
Testing undertaken and results.
Geotechnical parameters
Parameters derived for design, where included.
Recommendations
Foundation, excavation and further investigation recommendations.
Appendices & evidence register
Index relevant plans, photographs, calculations, surveys and source documents; include only the evidence relevant to this instruction.
Read our planning supporting documents guide to explore related evidence.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Ground investigation reports FAQs
Clear answers to help you plan your next step.
Still have a question?
Tell us about the site and we will confirm what is needed and what it should cost.
Make an enquiryDoes the investigation need access to neighbouring land?
Usually not, but rig size and access affect the method. We confirm access, services and any permits needed before mobilisation.
What information should I provide to get started?
Site address, proposals, access arrangements and any desk study.
How is the fee for this service confirmed?
The price shown is a starting estimate for the stated scope. We review the site, proposal, available information and required deliverables, then confirm the fee, exclusions and programme in a written quotation before appointment.
How do your specialists work together on a project?
We bring the relevant planning consultants and specialist providers into a coordinated project team. They work from an agreed brief and current proposal, with dependencies and design changes discussed across disciplines. Each consultant remains responsible for their own professional advice and agreed deliverables.
PART OF A COORDINATED APPOINTMENT
Your specialist evidence, connected.
This service can form part of a wider coordinated planning appointment. We bring the relevant consultants together to work alongside your design team, discuss assessment findings and identify how recommendations affect other reports and the proposal.
Your fee proposal confirms who prepares each document, the information it relies on and the limits of the instruction. A report provides evidence for the council’s assessment; the planning decision remains the council’s. Explore how our consultants work together or discuss the team your project needs.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Discuss your requirements.
Tell us about the site, what you want to achieve and any deadline. We will review it and suggest an appropriate next step.
Call 020 8004 4464 or email info@greencodeconsultants.com.