Our Services

Soil Management Plan & Consultancy

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Soil Management Plans are an important to ensure the sustainability and preservation of soil resources during construction projects and form part of planning permissions for working on greenfield sites.  

 

Soil management plans should utilise the findings of soil surveys to identify the  soil resources present and to set out their principles and methods of handling, storage and reinstatement.

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Soil management plans should be inclusive of the following:

- Identification of characteristics, areas and volume of soil resources

- Planning a working strategy for soil resources and their uses.

- Procedure for soil stripping, stocking piling.

- Method of reinstatement and aftercare recommendations

- Assessment of suitable conditions for soil handling

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LDC are able to conduct pre-construction soil resource surveys and provide site-specific soil handling recommendations based on Best Practice guidance, Construction Code of Practice and also over 20 years experience in the planning, development and construction of cross country pipelines, HV buried cable routes, Highways, Railways, Power Stations, Overhead Power Lines and Mineral Extraction Sites.

LDC can also offer advice on a ad-hoc basis, attending site and responding to queries throughout the construction phase. Providing site-specific advice and mitigation relating to soil issues.

Agricultural Land Classification​

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The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system is the system of grading the quality of agricultural land based on their long term limitation for agricultural potential, both in terms of crop yield and consistency, flexibility and cost of production. 

 

ALC is a fundamental factor in the allocation of developments within local and national land use policy and in support of planning applications. 

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The assessment of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) involves the assessment and interpretation of factors inclusive of climate, site, soil characteristics and the interactions between these, to identify land quality and their "Best & Most Versatile" status. 

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​LDC have comprehensive knowledge of the principles of ALC system and vast experience in conducting detailed surveys to accurately determine grade across a variety of sites for a variety of proposals. 

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Recent work includes assessment of sites across the UK proposed for mineral extraction, highway schemes, BESS, linear utility routes, residential and solar developments.

Soil Survey & Sampling

 

We offer a range of soil survey methodologies and sampling, tailored to the requirement of our clients. Surveys are including but not limited to;

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• Detailed & reconnaissance soil resource & ALC surveys

• Pedological description of soil profiles for research projects.

• Pre-construction record of soil condition.

• Collection of topsoil and subsoil samples in accordance with RB209.

• Interpretation of analytical nutrient results for landscape, fertiliser or Biodiversity Net Gain proposals (FACTS qualified).

• Compliance with BS3882: British Standard for Topsoil & subsoil

Environmental Impact Assessment

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 LDC are able to conduct baseline studies of soil and land resources.

 

Alongside details of the development, LDC prepare "Land and Soils" Chapters as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Our chapters provide an assessment of the potential impact of an development on land quality and soil receptors and incorporate site-specific mitigation measures. LDC consult with clients to reduce the residual magnitude of impact of the development on the soil receptors and liaise with planning consultants throughout the planning process to assist planning applications.

Cartography & GIS

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LDC are able to provide mapping services in a range of formats compatible to clients requirements. These include AutoCAD, ArcGIS and Arc Field maps.

 

LDC utilise the GIS platform to provide clients with live tracking updates on the progress of ongoing large surveys.

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Research & Development

 

LDC appreciate the value of soil in sustaining human life and work to encourage the sustainable management of these invaluable resources. 

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As part of this, LDC are involved in the collection of soil data for national research projects and have pioneered several of their own research exercises centred around developing methodologies of appropriate handling and monitoring of soils during construction. 

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LDC's team of soil surveyors aim to facilitate improvements to soil heath both as part of further academic soil research and within government initiatives to protect soils.