RIBA Stage 1: Site Appraisal

This type of survey would be carried out at the start of a new build project, or where an existing building is being repurposed.

We would viist the site and carry out a Site Appraisal to determine what the site constraints are and its suitability for the proposed use. This would include:

• Photographs of the site
• Views into the site
• Views out of the site - any we can use as part of the scheme design
• Consider topography
• Proxiity to other buildings
• Offset distances
• Access to the site, any issues
• Speed limits - Highway access
• Highway visibility
• Highway stopping zones
• Site orientation
• Building orientation
• Services available
• Services that need removing/moving/supplying
• Trees - type and root protection areas
• Any hedgerow
• Bio diversity and pathways
• Flood Risk
• Drainage issues
• Water courses, ponds
• Potential ecology
• Any contamination
• Location of the site
• Conservation Areas
• Listed buildiings in proximity
• Are we in Green belt/ Open Country,
• Radon gas risk
• Mining Risk
• Can we detrmine boundaries and ownership

Some of the above items would be assessed as desktop study items.

This service might also be in conjunction with other services and other Consultants services:-

Arranging a topographical survey with one of the land survey companies we work with.

Carry out a Viability/Feasability Assesment./Feasability Appraisal

Carrying out Feasiability studies to see what will fit on the site, type of building, shape, orientation, access to the site, car parking, amenity space, views into and out of the site, impact on other buildings, offset distances, consideration of rights of light, renewable potential.

Where an existing building is to be re-used or repurposed, we would also accompany this with a dimensional Building survey. This might be in conjunction with a topographical site survey carried out by others dependant on the site topography.

Where a new building is to be located on a site with adjacent buildings, We would include photos and detail of the immediate adjacent ones where street scenes are likely. the Topo surveyor woudl also be asked to pick up immediate corners of buildings, plus eaves and ridge heights and thresholds.

Once these initial services are complete. We would report to you on our findings. If there are a number of options to consider.

Or when considering one option we would move on to stage 2: Scheme Design