Basement Impact Assessment

Basement Impact Assessments (BIAs) are becoming increasingly mandatory particularly in London to meet planning requirements for development of sub-surface space. Ashton Bennett’s qualified and experienced geologists and hydrogeologists undertake Basement Impact Assessments including screening, scoping, desk study and ground investigation. A detailed impact assessment is followed by a site review to present all findings and to make recommendations for mitigating measures and foundation design. When submitting applications for basement developments, the level of technical information will vary according to the type of the development, and the planning authority and is likely to include:

1. Site specific screening and scoping of existing geological, hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the site and the wider area in order to identify areas susceptible to instability from ground and/or water movement, localised flooding and lost rivers.
2. Detailed intrusive investigation to assess local ground and ground water conditions, including, through the use of boreholes, potential impacts on water movements and on adjoining/nearby properties.
3. Identification of suitable temporary and permanent construction methods and mitigation measures for safe basement developments including monitoring of adjacent properties.
4. Devising a method for monitoring local ground conditions, water movement, subsidence and drainage.
5. Ground movement calculations according to CIRIA to assess potential ground movement in line with Burland’s scale of damage.

All technical reports have to be prepared by a suitably qualified chartered engineer, chartered water and environmental manager and chartered geologist, who is a member of the relevant professional body. Geologists and engineers at Ashton Bennett meet the qualification requirements.

A Basement Impact Assessment was undertaken for a prestigious client in Richmond who needed planning consent for a basement that had a large – and famous – action group against the development. The planning officer stated that Ashton Bennett’s Basement Impact Assessment was more than comprehensive and was the most thorough basement application ever put into Richmond. As a result the planning committee voted for planning approval.

Ashton Bennett undertake Basement Impact Assessments (BIA) for properties throughout the UK, and particularly in the London Boroughs including Camden, RBKC, Westminster, Islington, Hackney, Greenwich, Haringey, Hammersmith, Fulham, Merton, Richmond, Kingston Upon Thames and others. Our BIAs follow the guidelines produced by the various Borough Councils. The requirements generally include some or all of the information below:

Screening and Scoping Stage
Collection and assessment of:

Archival Maps
Geology and hydrogeology
Hydrology and lost rivers
Flood Risk from rivers/canals/reservoirs/groundwater
Critical Drainage Areas
Environmental data
Landfill and Mining Data
Site Inspection and walk over survey
Review of adjacent buildings
Checking for signs of subsidence
Checking for underground services

Impact Assessment Stage
Ground Investigation

Undertaking boreholes and/or trial pits for ground investigation
Collecting soil samples for geotechnical/environmental testing
Installing standpipes for monitoring groundwater and/or gas levels

Ground Movement Calculations
Ensuring that the scheme will maintain structural stability of the building and neighbouring properties.
Calculating, according to CIRIA guidelines, levels of any potential ground movements that may affect adjacent properties, according to Burland’s scale of damage.

Structural Design