Soil and agrological capability study

On non-developable land, soil quality decides whether a development is viable and under what conditions. We characterise the soil with test pits and laboratory analysis, and turn the result into permitting arguments and restoration criteria that can actually be delivered.

What's included

• Excavation and description of test pits, and characterisation of profiles by horizon.
• Laboratory analysis: texture, organic matter, pH, conductivity, nutrients and stoniness.
• Classification of agrological capability and appraisal of fertile soil loss.
• Compatibility analysis with the existing farming use and with the proposed use.
• Soil management plan: selective stripping, stockpiling, conservation and replacement.
• Restoration and decompaction criteria for the decommissioning phase.

When you need it

• You are building a solar or wind plant on farmland and have to justify the impact.
• You are permitting an extractive operation or a restoration project.
• You are asked to evidence that the soil is recoverable at the end of the project's life.
• You need to size the earthworks and the topsoil management.

How we work

We go out to the site, dig test pits and work with an accredited laboratory. The result is not a generic report: it is data from your own site, with management criteria the works can genuinely carry out.