Land quality refers to the degree to which land is free from contamination and related issues, making it therefore suitable for a specific use. For example, an ex-industrial site could be turned into a new home development suitable for houses, amenities and public greenspace.
Effectively managing changes in land use is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of future users while minimising impacts on the surrounding environment. It is important to show that the desired outcomes can be achieved when undertaking such projects. This helps to instil confidence in stakeholders and demonstrates not only that the land will be suitable for its intended purpose but also it can be successfully developed.
NHBC’s role in de-risking sites
NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK and works with a range of builders and developers to help them get it right first time from the very start of each project.
As part of an ongoing commitment to build quality, NHBC can de-risk land for house builders, strategic land developers and others involved in bringing forward land for residential markets through its Land Quality Service (LQS).
What is Land Quality Service?
NHBC’s team of specialist geotechnical and geo-environmental engineers thoroughly assesses all types of land at the pre-development stage, whether it is a brownfield site, land that is geotechnically challenging, greenfield, or even a marginal site. This process helps to remove uncertainty over whether a site is suitable for future housing development.
Who would benefit from Land Quality Service?
The LQS team have worked on some of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK and is available to support house builders (whether registered with NHBC or not), strategic land developers, local authorities, development agencies, land agents and anyone looking for specialist land quality advice on sites intended for residential development.
The team assist landowners, developers and their technical advisers in overcoming land-related issues. In addition to providing informed advice and insight on the acceptability of foundation solutions, they can outline remediation expectations for any outstanding technical matters that should be resolved before or during development.
Land that has an NHBC Land Quality Certificate is already de-risked. By engaging with the LQS team you can ensure there has been a thorough review of the investigation, land remediation work proposals and verification works for compliance with NHBC Standards for development. This gives confidence in the site prior to registration with NHBC for warranty.
As Karen Thornton, NHBC’s Land Quality Service Manager, explains “No piece of land is too complex for the service to assess. The service is always evolving in response to the industry needs and the requirement for increased flexibility.”
Leading the way on Land Quality Service
LQS provides the early engagement of technical opinion on how NHBC Standards 4.1 (Land quality – managing ground conditions) could be met subject to a satisfactory resolution of technical matters. For additional support the LQS is split into three stages that mirror this Standard.
The first stage, ‘Hazards Identification/Evaluation’, is a desk study appraisal of the findings of site investigations to ensure important hazards are identified and adequately assessed, and to inform future design needs.
The second stage, ‘Managing the Risk’, involves judging the suitability of the chosen remedial or earthwork solutions against NHBC Standards to address or mitigate hazards. At the second stage the proposal is reviewed more thoroughly, particularly the foundation approach and the compatibility of solutions. Groundworks solutions and any other matters that might be impacted are considered and risks are reviewed.
The third and final stage, ‘Documentation and Verification’, confirms that the stated remedial works have achieved their pre-agreed objectives and that the evidence demonstrates compliance against Standards. LQS specialist engineers will also visit at key milestones during the works.
Once achieved, the certificate will display which of the three stages of the service have been appraised and what phase of development the land has reached. The certification gives further details of the assessment, including the specific foundation system considered, other workable solutions and any outstanding matters that would need to be resolved before or during development.
Building Control can be reassured that key elements have been considered. For housebuilders the service can reduce risks of delays at the development stage and decrease the possibility of unexpected issues being discovered later.
