Established in 2010, GeoloGIS will help you understand what is known (and what is not known) about the geology of your Site as a firm basis for planning, investigation and development. Our clients are very varied, including homeowners and private developers, larger landowners, engineering and construction companies and UK government. Please get in touch to discuss your project.

GeoloGIS is operated by Dr Rob Barnes, a Chartered Geologist with over 40 years experience.

Projects large and small are carried out in confidence in a friendly, cost-effective and timely manner consistent with business and industry standards and also ethical standards. GeoloGIS prides itself in preparing reports that are accessible while retaining the necessary technical terms for accurate description; our personal support will give you confidence to progress your project.

Services include

Desk study

• site-specific geological/geotechnical reports for engineering/construction and water supply
• extended mining risk assessment and modelling
• mineral assessment e.g. for mineral/land valuation, borrow pits and Aggregates Levy

Groundwater supply boreholes

• guidance for borehole location, water chemistry and yield prognosis
• liaison with regulatory authorities, water features survey, testing and licensing

Site works and borehole core description

• walkover survey, peat probing and trial pitting
• lithological and fracture description of borehole cores
• SuDS percolation testing and soakaway design for infiltration drainage systems

Technical review and expert witness services

• confidential review of existing geological reports
• scientific advice and expert witness services

The following sections provide a little more information but please feel free to contact us if you think we may be able to support you. We are grateful for the generous testimonials included below.

Desk study

A geological desk study provides a description of the geology of a site from available information as a basis for early site design and site investigation. Timely and accurate desk study can often greatly assist in effective site planning, working with the natural conditions to minimise the costs and environmental impact of development.

A desk study is far more than a download of small-scale mapping. We gather information from a range of sources including large-scale geological maps and reports, historical maps, borehole records and mine plans.

Geological information has varying degrees of accuracy and certainty; maps in particular are an interpretation of the information available at the date of survey (dating back over 150 years) and may be conjectural. Therefore assessment of the uncertainty inherent in the information provided and the range of possible alternative interpretations is an important part of what we do.

As an example from a recent Scottish coalfield project, the trace of a fault mapped as a single structure with a 750-1000 m displacement was found to be constrained only within a corridor about 600 m wide. Depending on the fault location and configuration (single or multiple strands) the site geology and mining risk may be quite different from that inferred from the published geological map.

James Hollender, Director Civil Engineering Services, WindProspect Ltd.: We have found GeoloGIS to be professional, reliable and very knowledgeable. They have worked for us on several projects, each time bringing the work in on budget and within agreed time frames.

Alex Dalton, Wind Harvest Ltd. GeoloGIS undertook a desk-based review of Wind Harvest's key sites with the aim of providing an understanding of the geological situation at each site, prior to site design being finalised. Of particular value to Wind Harvest was the information provided concerning whether it would be possible to win aggregates from borrow pits and providing micro-siting information for ease of access track and foundation construction. Rob has a very professional manner and good communication skills, providing detailed information that is understandable to non-specialists. I would not hesitate to recommend him and his work in this field.

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Mining (coal/fireclay) risk assessment and mineral valuation

A detailed understanding of the geology of mined sites is essential for the design of appropriate ground investigation works. Typically applied to coalfield sites we endeavour to define as closely as possible the stratigraphy and the extent and depth of mine workings from available records including mine plans.

19^th & early 20^thC coal mines often used local seam names causing confusion between pits and even more so in subsequent regional correlations. In a Bristol coalfield project we found closely spaced fireclay beds named after coals in a different part of the succession. Unravelling this it became evident that instead of only one coal seam at depth as mapped, undocumented workings probably exist at shallow depth in three coals along with the fireclay mines.

Working with specialist RCS valuers, similar information and processes can be used to quantify coal and other mineral resources for the purposes of valuation of mineral rights.

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Water bore prognosis report

Varying from private domestic supplies to farm businesses and golf courses for irrigation, we can help identify if a suitable groundwater supply may be possible and suggest test borehole locations in the context of the geology and practical constraints. Where ground water production is required above the regulatory licensing threshold we carry out water features surveys and assist with license applications.

Robert Hill, Business Development Manager, Hydracrat: Rob has been producing detailed, well-researched reports for our water well projects for many years. His many decades of geological experience and knowledge have been invaluable to us, particularly in suggesting target areas for drilling. We re delighted to recommend Rob s services.

Kyle Cruickshank, Course Manager, North Berwick Golf Club: GeoloGIS undertook a comprehensive desktop study of our site and identified four priority areas for groundwater investigation, all of which were subsequently proven to be viable. They also prepared the necessary technical reports and methodologies to support SEPA approval, enabling the sampling, construction, and installation of boreholes for our irrigation system. The work was delivered to a high professional standard, ensuring the process was carried out efficiently and without error, thereby mitigating the risk of misunderstandings or mistakes. GeoloGIS demonstrated a high level of technical competence throughout, and I would have no hesitation in recommending their services or engaging them again in the future.

For community groups and charities we can often provide advice free of fees.

Dave Barfoot, Head grower, Tyninghame Community Farm. Rob at GeoloGIS was really helpful and provided a full geological survey free of charge. We would not have felt confident in drilling for a borehole, which is vital for our community farm without his excellent and extensive report.

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Site works

Whilst desk studies are usually carried out remotely it is sometimes beneficial to complete a walkover survey. In areas with extensive peat cover probing allows site design and development to avoid thicker areas, minimising disturbance and release of stored carbon as CO2 . For larger sites with significant bedrock exposure and where substantial volumes of aggregate or concrete are required for development identification of a borrow pit can substantially lessen costs (e.g. aggregates levy tax and transport costs) and limit the environmental impacts of construction.

Matilda Urie, Project Manager, EoN: ‘The work done by GeoloGIS was essential to our design. GeoloGIS were professional and considerate and the resulting verification of onsite rock material will reduce the project’s impacts and costs significantly’.

Following on from a desk study report, ground investigations typically involve a trial pit survey (hand or machine dug) and for larger projects and more complex sites drilling of boreholes. Soil and rock materials are described compliant with the relevant standards. Borehole core description may be carried out on site or at the driller’s premises.

Barry Jeffcoate, Partner, Booth King Partnership Ltd. We worked with GeoloGIS on a small extension to a cottage in the Borders. The ground was found to be soft due to local drainage problems. Rob’s friendly assistance on site was timely and assisted with the economical foundation design.

Neil Refern, Contracts Manager, Hydracrat Ltd. Rob has assisted us with rock core logging on several high profile projects. His understanding of Geological and Geotechnical descriptive requirements to current standards is excellent. He has the ability to complete comprehensive borehole logs to deadlines within commercial constraints. His services are highly recommended.

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SuDS percolation testing and design

National planning guidance requires new developments to dispose of surface water runoff naturally through sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) wherever possible. Planning officers may also refer to this guidance for retrofit projects. To meet the standards infiltration systems are specified using soil permeability from percolation tests and rainfall data from CEH and designed following BRE Digest 365 and UKSuDS methods.

Abi Nicol, Development Worker, The Quarry Chapel, Cam Gloucestershire. As a charity we had no idea that upgrading our car park would be such a difficult and complex task for us. Without Rob we would not have been able to prepare the documents needed for Planning. He supported us at every point, initial scoping, testing the site, investigating SuDs percolation testing and soakaway design for infiltration drainage system when we were asked to change our original design allowing us to move forward with a confident outcome. We can not recommend Rob highly enough.

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Technical review and expert witness services

Full technical review of geological reports can be complex consequently it is rarely done, yet such reports often serve as the basis for critical decision-making and tendering. An impression of the completeness and accuracy of a report can usually be established relatively quickly.

We are an experienced provider of expert witness services and presentation of information in court or tax tribunal setting including for HMRC in relation to operation of the Aggregates Levy.

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