Our client was the owner of a site extending to 274 ha of former forestry land in the south of England. The land was progressively cleared as minerals (sand and gravel) excavation took place over a period of about 30 years. Parts of the site were restored at low level and returned for forestry use; others received imported waste for landfill restoration at or above original ground levels. The quality of the restoration in the landfilled areas was generally poor.

Role of Robert Long Consultancy Limited

Robert Long Consultancy Limited was instructed to investigate and advise the landowner. We discovered major non-compliance with the terms of the mineral lease, the planning conditions and site licences. The imported wastes amounting to more than 4Mm³ and which should have been limited to soils (and rubble for site road making) were actually found to have included many kinds of materials including industrial and biodegradable wastes. Some of the industrial wastes were hazardous.

Robert Long Consultancy Limited's involvement included desk research on the history of site operations, a site investigation by trial pitting, shadowing a further site investigation undertaken by the landfill operator's consultants and interpretation of laboratory analysis of groundwater, soil and gas samples.

Robert Long Consultancy Limited advised the landowners and their solicitors throughout the preparation for legal proceedings, a very large claim for compensation and the negotiations for an eventual settlement. Our advice spanned technical and commercial aspects of the project.