Technical due diligence for development sites
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
By 'technical due diligence' we are referring to the process of investigating a site to assess its suitability for a particular project and the risks involved before proceeding with that project. A due diligence checklist is presented below, providing a list of some of the aspects of a site and its context that it may be necessary to investigate.
[edit] Site information
- Site address (including post code).
- Site location map.
- Contact details for neighbours.
- Access assessment and arrangements.
- Site logistics assessment.
- Site security.
[edit] Legal searches
- Deeds and title Information.
- Ownership (including boundaries and possible disputes).
- Central and local government planned works within the vicinity of the site.
- Possible compulsory purchase orders.
- Part wall appraisals and surveys.
- Rights of light appraisals and surveys.
- Way leave agreements (telecommunications, electrical networks, etc.).
- Existing licences.
- Easements (rights of way, right to light, the right for underground services to pass beneath the land of a neighbouring property, right of support, the right to draw water, etc.).
- Restricted covenants.
- Tree Preservation Orders or other tree rights.
- Listed buildings.
- Conservation areas, or other designated areas (such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads).
- Scheduled monuments.
- Building regulations approvals.
- Statutory waterways and any associated restrictions.
- Railways and any associated restrictions.
- On site adverts.
- Civil Aviation Authority restrictions.
- Car parking licences and agreements.
- Existing occupants and illegal occupation.
[edit] Surveys
- Topographical survey.
- Existing building survey (including valuation, measured surveys, structural surveys, structural investigations, condition surveys and demolition surveys).
- Historic use report.
- Site investigations.
- Contamination survey.
- Boundary surveys.
- Structural survey (including retained structures, underground structures and obstructions).
- Unexploded bomb survey.
- Railway and tunnel search.
- Air quality.
- Archaeological survey.
- Asbestos and other deleterious materials surveys and registers.
- Local area transport infrastructure (adequacy and future use).
- Ecology survey.
- Local climate.
- Photographic survey.
[edit] Site services
- Fire hydrants.
- Telecommunications.
- Wireless networks and satellite reception.
- Electrical infrastructure and capacity.
- Gas network infrastructure and capacity.
- Foul sewers and drains infrastructure and capacity.
- Existing water supply infrastructure and capacity.
[edit] Planning
- Planning applications and approvals for the site and within the vicinity of the site, including conditions and obligations (agreed or in draft).
- Social and economic desktop study.
- Access statement.
- Statement of community involvement.
- Cumulative impact report.
- Visual impact assessment.
- Sustainability statement.
- Heritage report.
- Traffic assessment.
- Flood risk.
- Air quality.
- Acoustic environment and noise.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Applying for new postal addresses.
- Building People.
- Caveat emptor.
- Condition.
- Condition Report.
- Condition survey.
- Contaminated land.
- Deleterious materials
- Demolition.
- Development appraisal.
- Due diligence.
- Easements.
- Ecological survey.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Feasibility studies.
- Ground conditions.
- Gross development value.
- Lawful development certificate.
- Planning permission
- Pre construction information.
- Rights of way.
- Site appraisals.
- Site information.
- Site selection and acquisition.
- Site surveys.
- Soil survey.
- Tree preservation orders.
- Tree rights.
- Vendor survey.
[edit] External references
- RICS Best Practice & Guidance Note for Technical Due Diligence of Commercial, Industrial & Residential Property in Continental Europe.
Featured articles and news
Prioritising tax considerations.
Reviewing the Double Diamond Design model
The four D creative process: discover, define, develop and deliver.
National Cyber Security Centre initiative is announced.
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.
Building services verification
Are buildings doing what they're supposed to be doing?
Cities with quick access to everything by foot or bike.
The pressures and pinch points of global destinations.