CASE STUDY
Cowden_
In 2021 we successfully won a competitive tender from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to manage the real and perceived risk of UXO at Mappleton Beach, Hull.
Brimstone won a competitive tender from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to manage UXO contamination at Mappleton Beach, Hull over a five-year period. This was a pivotal moment in defence engagement due to it being the first time DIO had awarded a long-term contract to a commercial organisation for clearing explosive ordnance on public land.
The former air weapons range, RAF Cowden, is a coastal area of 275 hectares of land north of Hull. The site was used from the 1940s as a combined artillery and field firing range prior to transfer to RAF custody in 1955. Thereafter, it remained an active range until 1998, when the site was closed. It is thought that over 2.5 million ammunition items were expended on the range during its operation.
Substantial explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) efforts have been made over the past twenty years to manage the UXO risk to the public. Although most of the ammunition expended on the range was on land-based targets, thousands of items of UXO appear on the beach each year. The rate of erosion in the area is on average, 2.5m per year and features some of the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. As the sea erodes the cliffs, causing them to topple, UXO contamination on the headland is deposited on the beach.
Brimstone’s presence at RAF Cowden
The site at Cowden presented a highly complex environment, with restricted access hours to the beach, significant UXO contamination, and regular public access. Stakeholder engagement was equally intricate, involving coordination with the local council, landowners, the Ministry of Defence, and Natural England.
Brimstone maintained a dedicated team of advanced bomb disposal officers on-site throughout the project. Operating from a secure compound at the former range headquarters, the team was equipped with off-road vehicles, an off-grid explosive magazine, and all necessary support infrastructure. Weekly explosive demolitions were carried out to safely destroy hazardous items, while all inert ordnance was sent to a demilitarisation and recycling plant. All personnel were trained in paramedic-level pre-hospital emergency care, ensuring a high standard of safety and preparedness.
Over the course of the project, Brimstone removed or destroyed more than 200,000 items from the site.
A key achievement during our time at RAF Cowden was the introduction of more efficient UXO disposal methods. By reducing the amount of plastic explosive required for demolitions, we improved safety, reduced environmental impact, and achieved a 50% reduction in explosives costs. These improvements contributed to quieter operations, which benefited local residents and helped protect the surrounding natural environment.
Brimstone’s approach also strengthened stakeholder relationships — an essential factor in the success of a project operating in such a sensitive and publicly accessible location.
Through investigations, surveys, and disposal operations, Brimstone significantly reduced the UXO risk at the former air weapons range and delivered lasting improvements to safety and site management.
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