Phase 2 intrusive site investigations: legal drivers, objectives, methods and standards for contaminated land risk assessment, planning, permitting and transactions

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

What is an intrusive site investigation?

An intrusive (phase 2) site investigation involves geotechnical and geo-environmental specialists collecting detailed and reliable information on a site’s physical and chemical ground conditions. These findings are then applied to:

the design of earthworks and foundations, and
determining whether contamination is present

The UK follows a risk-based framework for the identification, assessment and management of contaminated land, based on the idea of a contaminant linkage (once called a pollutant linkage), ie contaminant-pathway-receptor. For further information, see Practice Note: Contaminated land—risk assessment.

Site characterisation is generally carried out in a clear staged manner:

screening phase: an initial investigation consisting of a desk study
phase 1: a site walkover and qualitative risk assessment
phase 2: intrusive site investigations involving the analysis of soil, groundwater and/or gas samples and a quantitative risk assessment

For further information on desktop studies and phase 1 assessments, see Practice Note: Environmental investigations—types of searches and investigations...

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Jake Hawkey

Argyll Environmental

Jake holds a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Environmental Management & Assessment, combining academic expertise with over a decade of hands-on industry experience.He began his career with Argyll Environmental in 2011 as an environmental consultant, specialising in contaminated land and flood due diligence. This early work gave him invaluable insight into the practical challenges faced by property professionals navigating residential and commercial real estate transactions.Over the years, Jake has advanced into leadership roles, including serving as Consultancy Manager, where he successfully managed and delivered a wide range of complex contaminated land projects. His commitment to knowledge-sharing extends beyond his consultancy work—he has been a guest lecturer at Brighton University, contributing to the Environmental Auditor Course in partnership with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).Today, Jake is recognised for his ability to combine technical expertise with a deep...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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