Screening of groundwater and subterranean flow effects for basements and below-ground development.
When this service may be useful
Basement policies ask whether a proposal could affect groundwater, nearby watercourses or surface flow, including the cumulative effect of several basements in one street. A screening exercise answers those questions at the outset.
How the work is approached
The available geological, borehole and groundwater information is reviewed against the council's screening questions, and any matters needing further assessment are identified.
What you receive
You receive a screening report that can form part of a basement impact assessment. Groundwater monitoring and detailed modelling are separate where needed.
What we need to start
Site address, proposed drawings and any borehole or site investigation information.
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.
Front cover and contents page examples. The document structure is tailored to your instruction, site and relevant planning requirements.
Front coverContents page
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.
Proposal & below-ground elements
The basement or below-ground works considered.
Geology & hydrogeology
Geological setting, aquifers and groundwater levels.
Subterranean flow screening
Screening questions and answers drawn from council guidance.
Surface water & drainage
Effects on surface flow, infiltration and drainage.
Cumulative effects
Effects in combination with nearby basements.
Further assessment
Matters requiring investigation or monitoring.
Conclusions
A clear statement of the screening outcome.
Appendices & evidence register
Index relevant plans, photographs, calculations, surveys and source documents; include only the evidence relevant to this instruction.
Not always. Screening uses existing data first. Where groundwater is likely to be encountered or data are lacking, the report recommends targeted investigation.
What information should I provide to get started?
Site address, proposed drawings and any borehole or site investigation information.
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.