Years of experience on all kinds of brownfield developments mean that we can help you to evaluate land values accurately by determining remediation costs and liabilities, and by identifying engineering abnormalities and environmental show-stoppers.

We utilise our in-house drilling, geophysical survey and utilities clearance teams. We provide Type 3 asbestos surveys on sites before demolition, and also undertake site investigations into asbestos contamination of soil and demolition waste. Vital soil samples are rapidly evaluated by our sister company, Envirolab, which has recently topped the UK table for the accuracy of its analytical procedures and is now the UK’s best accredited laboratory.

Together with it specialist in-house communication team, RSK can offer a complete stakeholder engagement and community consultation service. RSK advises various industries on a range of corporate responsibility issues. We are expert at managing community–stakeholder relationships and at facilitating consultation and community involvement so as to minimise the public opposition to a development.

We are also widely acknowledged for our ability to handle planning and permitting issues, and in helping developers to avoid or overcome many of the challenges that planning legislation can present. Our work in these areas includes

• undertaking a wide range of environmental surveys and impact assessments, including ecological, noise, air and water
• obtaining any statutory licences and consents for protected species
• preparing investigation and/or mitigation plans
• managing contamination issues arising under Planning Policy Statement 23
• providing a range of industry-recognised planning packages, including master planning, ecological mitigation and landscape design
• formulating, planning and designing low- or zero-carbon projects
• providing stakeholder facilitation and communication support.

Staff from RSK are often called as expert witnesses for public inquiries on environmental issues.

RSK is recognised as the number one environmental and engineering services provider for the UK housing industry, and its experts are influential at government level. For example, our specialists have helped to produce the National House Building Council (NHBC) standards, sit on the Defra/CLG National Brownfield Forum, have contributed to parts of the Building Regulations and advise the government on sustainability across a range of legislation.

Remediation plans and engineering designs are inextricably linked.

The engineering design service we offer encompasses highway and drainage elements, including sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) and structural designs for foundations and superstructures. Negotiations with statutory service authorities for supplies to new developments; flood risk assessments; and infrastructure master planning to support planning applications are also parts of our service.

RSK is a leading authority on sustainability issues facing the property development sector through its representation on CIRIA’s environment and sustainability panel.

We provide strategic guidance on the emerging policy issues that are shaping building regulations and planning before they come into force, and help companies to develop a corporate responsibility strategy that delivers real business value. We promote the sustainable use of materials by developing site waste management plans (SWMP) and materials management strategies, which are approved by RSK under the industry code of practice.

RSK has experts in energy-efficient design, from concept stage through to delivery. We are engaged as consultants to designers, developers and contractors across the UK to assist in the provision of robust, well designed and constructed buildings.

We have considerable experience of building fabric performance (thermal, acoustic and airtightness) and offer comprehensive services to demonstrate compliance for Parts E and L of the regulations. RSK has approved Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) and BREEAM assessors, and can provide authoritative advice relating to cost-effective design solutions to meet the requisite CSH levels and BREEAM standards.

Energy audits are also offered for existing buildings to deliver costeffective upgrades or enhancements to improve energy or Energy
Performance Certificate ratings. UKAS-accredited verification services are also provided, including airtightness testing for residential and commercial buildings, and acoustic testing.

Several species of flora and fauna have the potential to impose onerous constraints and mitigation requirements on developers if they are present on-site. RSK is skilled at undertaking baseline surveys and developing survey and mitigation strategies that minimise these risks.

We also undertake surveys for invasive weeds such as Japanese knotweed and develop biodiversity management and enhancement plans.

One of the principal differentiators of RSK’s services to the property sector is the ability to turn remedial designs into reality. Our specialist remediation contracting team is expert in the delivery of bespoke process-based and in situ solutions for a wide variety of clients. This team has earned a reputation for consistently meeting budget and programme requirements.

RSK develops environmental management systems and management plans, and provides a full range of support services, including training for all levels of staff. We also have experts in ISO14001.

RSK experts have experience in all aspects of construction design and health and safety management, including regular management of HSE issues on-site. We are skilled at construction design and management (CDM) coordination under construction design management; implementing client health and safety management systems; delivering behaviour-based safety training; and undertaking competence assessments and contractor audits during construction.

There is still value to be had once a development is completed. RSK helps developers with successful projects to use them to enhance their business reputation.

Company press officers are given assistance in preparing project case studies that can be included in corporate responsibility reports. This helps our customers to improve their company’s image; offers evidence to planning and other authorities that they have a sustainable approach to business; and makes successful tendering on future projects easier.

Our innovative remediation technologies helped Miller Homes to cut its land remediation costs substantially while reducing the site development time by three months.