Although SuRF-UK has not specifically produced any guidance for undertaking a semi-quantitative assessment, the following documents may be useful.

• DCLG (2009). Multi-criteria analysis: a manual. Available here
• EA (2007). Review of multi-criteria analysis applied to flood risk appraisal. Science report SC050013/SR1. Available here
• Brinkhoff, P. 2011. Multi-Criteria Analysis for Assessing Sustainability of Remedial Actions. Applications in Contaminated Land Development. A Literature Review. Chalmers University of Technology, Report 2011:14. Available here

Project Framing

Framing includes two groups of activities: the preparation for sustainability assessment followed by the definition of the sustainability assessment.  The framing process is needed for all tiers of a sustainability assessment whether qualitative, semi-qualitative or quantitative.  The framing guidance is provided in a slide set formatted in PDF. The aim of the slides is to help project managers and sustainability assessors to frame their approach for a sustainability assessment.

The framing slide set is also supported by a log book which can be used to collect summary information for each step of the framing procedure.  

A Tier 1 Sustainable Remediation Assessment Spreadsheet has been developed by AECOM in collaboration with the SuRF-UK Steering Group, and provides a standardised record for the completion of a Tier 1 qualitative sustainable remediation assessment in accordance with the updated SuRF-UK guidance (Supplementary Reports SR1 and SR2 published in 2020. The spreadsheet has been developed and provided freely for use in support of the SuRF-UK guidance, and this guidance should be read in conjunction with the use of this spreadsheet. The authors, contributors, and funders will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on, this spreadshhet, nor do they assume responsibility or liability for errors or omissions.  Users are advised to confirm the adequacy of the spreadsheet for the intended use and to take appropriate professional advice where necessary. SuRF-UK nor AECOM offer any warrantee or technical support for this spreadsheet.

SuRF Bulletin 4 summarises the work of Phase 3 of this project and it gives a good overview and introduction of what is involved in the Sustainable Management Practice document, Project Framing and Planning a Sustainability Assessment, and undertaking a Tier 1 Qualitative Assessment.

Tier 1 "entry level" sustainability assessment is based on simple tables using qualitative categories.  The SuRF-UK Brief Case provides a slide deck procedure to follow with a series of checklists to help ensure that the framing is adequate for the sustainability assessment required. It is recommended to read the Project Framing guidance before or in parallel with the Tier 1 Sustainability Assessment slide deck.

A Tier 1 Sustainable Remediation Assessment Spreadsheet has been developed by AECOM in collaboration with the SuRF-UK Steering Group, and provides a standardised record for the completion of a Tier 1 qualitative sustainable remediation assessment in accordance with the updated SuRF-UK guidance (Supplementary Reports SR1 and SR2 published in 2020. The spreadsheet has been developed and provided freely for use in support of the SuRF-UK guidance, and this guidance should be read in conjunction with the use of this spreadsheet. The authors, contributors, and funders will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on, this spreadshhet, nor do they assume responsibility or liability for errors or omissions.  Users are advised to confirm the adequacy of the spreadsheet for the intended use and to take appropriate professional advice where necessary. SuRF-UK nor AECOM offer any warrantee or technical support for this spreadsheet.

SuRF Bulletin 4 summarises the work of Phase 3 of this project and it gives a good overview and introduction of what is involved in the Sustainable Management Practice document, Project Framing and Planning a Sustainability Assessment, and undertaking a Tier 1 Qualitative Assessment.

Sustainable Management Practices (SMPs) are aligned to the SuRF-UK sustainability indicator categories so that the same sustainability principles can underpin all aspects of land contamination management and can be applied across a full range of activities, including those that would not normally have a formal sustainability assessment.  

The supporting SMP excel spread sheet can be downloaded by following the link :

Appendix 1: Sustainable Management Practices Posters