Comprehensive chemical and nutrient profiling for planning, remediation and land-quality assurance — delivered nationwide by accredited consultants.
You may need soil testing if development, remediation, foundation design or land transactions depend on understanding contamination levels, nutrient balance, pH, or soil behaviour.
These tests provide the independent evidence required by planners, insurers, engineers and environmental regulators under the Environment Act 2021, Contaminated Land Regulations 2006, Building Regulations (Part C) and associated policy.
This early clarity protects you from last-minute delays and unplanned redesign.
Soil Testing & Analysis provides a full chemical and nutrient assessment of the ground, including contaminants, fertility parameters and physical indicators that affect development, planting or reuse.
Typical testing includes:
All analysis is carried out through ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 accredited laboratories to ensure defensible, planning-ready evidence.
Physical Indicators:
Administrative Indicators:
Early instruction keeps the testing phase aligned with your wider project timeline.
A structured, proportionate and defensible testing service, delivered through accredited laboratories.
| Service Package | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Core Package (Client-collected samples) |
You collect the sample using the ProHort sampling kit and instructions. The sample is returned to ProHort via our courier. |
ISO 17025/9001 compliant chemical breakdown of soil composition. |
| Analytical Package (Includes the full Core Package) |
Adds professional interpretation of laboratory data, showing how results compare with accepted standards. | Clear findings, contamination significance, and proportionate recommendations. |
| Comprehensive Package (Includes Core + Analytical) |
A ProHort expert attends site, undertakes sampling and conducts a visual assessment of factors influencing soil behaviour (e.g., contamination indicators, plant stress, drainage, context). | Integrated field observations, expert opinion and full laboratory analysis in a planning- or remediation-ready format. |
That’s how evidence stays proportionate, design stays predictable and your programme keeps momentum.
Send site details and a short summary; we identify the correct testing level.
Either:
Accredited laboratories analyse the samples; ProHort interprets and reports findings clearly and proportionately.
Year-round.
Typically within 10 working days, including lab analysis
Fast-track testing available
Every week gained here stabilises programme flow and prevents downstream delays.
Soil testing supports compliance with:
Weak or incomplete evidence can lead to:
Early testing locks in programme certainty and prevents cost creep.
Need Soil testing? We’ll confirm your requirements and deliver clear, compliant testing — fast.
Phone: 0800 494 7479
Email: [email protected]
We cover many areas across England and Wales. Click below to find out more.
Soil testing and analysis is the process of collecting soil samples from a site and assessing their physical and chemical properties. This includes contaminants, nutrients, pH, and composition to determine suitability for development, landscaping, or environmental compliance.
Soil testing is typically required where there is potential contamination risk, previous industrial use, or where planning conditions require validation of ground suitability. Local Planning Authorities may request soil analysis as part of environmental assessments or pre-commencement conditions.
A soil test can assess a range of parameters depending on the project requirements, including:
The scope is tailored to meet planning or environmental objectives.
Soil testing ensures that land is safe, suitable, and compliant with planning requirements. It helps identify contamination risks early, informs design decisions, and prevents delays during planning validation or construction.
Different types of soil testing are used depending on the project, including:
Each type supports different planning or land use outcomes.
Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing determines how excavated soil must be classified for disposal or reuse. It is required when soil is being removed from a site and ensures compliance with environmental regulations and landfill requirements.
Soil samples are collected systematically across a site to provide representative results. This may involve:
Sampling strategies are designed to align with planning and regulatory expectations.
The timeframe depends on the scope of testing and laboratory requirements. Sampling is typically completed within a day for smaller sites, with laboratory results and reporting following shortly after. Timeframes are aligned with planning programme requirements where needed.
Yes. Soil testing is specifically designed to identify contaminants that could pose risks to human health, controlled waters, or future site use. This is particularly important for brownfield sites or land with historic industrial use.
Soil testing is highly recommended for landscaping and planting. It ensures the soil supports healthy growth, identifies any nutrient deficiencies, and informs soil improvement or remediation strategies where required.
Soil conditions directly influence habitat creation and long-term success. Soil testing helps confirm whether proposed habitats are viable and supports the design of Biodiversity Gain Plans and Habitat Management & Monitoring Plans.
Following testing, a detailed report is produced outlining findings, risks, and recommendations. This may include:
Reports are prepared to meet Local Planning Authority requirements.
Yes, requirements can vary between authorities. Many LPAs require soil testing to support planning validation or discharge conditions. For example, guidance from authorities such as
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-contamination-risk-management
sets out expectations for land contamination risk assessments and supporting evidence.
Yes. Soil testing is often carried out alongside ecological surveys, arboricultural assessments, and BNG work. Combining services ensures a coordinated approach and reduces delays in the planning process.
No. While contamination is a common trigger, soil testing is also used for agricultural assessments, habitat creation, landscaping, and verifying ground conditions for development.
