Our last couple of posts have focused on staff development and training, which included a specialist course on unexploded ordnance (UXO). We didn’t have to wait long for this to be put to good use as GRM was recently commissioned to undertake a due diligence contamination assessment on part of a former RAF airfield in Hertfordshire.
The site works included three aspects, namely:
- Window sampling at six locations across the potential development site, down to depths of 4m.
- Utility service clearance provided by Mapmatic.
- UXO clearance provided by 1st Line Defence.
The UXO clearance involved using a downhole magnetometer to detect and record anything ferrous in the ground, ensuring the borehole is free from UXO down to a safe assessed depth. This specialist service was provided by a UXO engineer (aka ‘the dangly magnet man!).
A preliminary UXO assessment flagged the recommendation for further research in the form of a detailed UXO risk assessment, and appropriate UXO risk mitigation measures for intrusive works.
The recovered samples will now undergo analysis at an accredited laboratory. The results, along with an interpretive report, will be provided to the client. This report will include the findings from desk-based research and the observed ground conditions, offering valuable insights into potential risks (and costs) associated with the previous use of the site, to inform any future development plans for the land.
If you have any development or construction projects, then please get in touch to find out how we can help save both time and costs. Please use your main point of contact at GRM or for new enquiries email richard.upton@grm-uk.com or call 01283 551249.