Prevent soil damage during construction projects

You should arrange for a soil resources survey to take place before any earthmoving operations start. This should be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced soil scientist or practitioner - for example a member of the British Society of Soil Science. You should not rely on a geotechnical or geo-environmental survey for this - the soil resources information won't be detailed enough.

You should use the results of your survey to help you manage your soil more sustainably - for example, by developing a soil management plan and budget (and identifying deficiencies or surplus requirements), which can be updated as site planning progresses.

You could also consider using new technologies which can return some of the lost soil management plan and functions to the built environment. Examples of techniques used by these sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) to replicate natural systems include:

• permeable paving - porous materials or voids within areas of solid paving to allow water to drain through, reducing flooding
• green roofs - roofs covered with vegetation, which reduce the volume and rate of rainwater run-off and provide good design and compatibility for the local area

For more information, see sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) for business.

You can download guidance on the regulation of greenfield excavated materials in construction and development (PDF, 625K).

You can also download a code of practice for soil use on construction sites (PDF, 737K).