CASE STUDY
Faversham_
Brimstone undertook a UXO drone survey on 316 hectares of land for a solar park project in the UK, resulting in multiple UXO finds at a depth of 1 metre.
Brimstone was commissioned to carry out an advanced UXO drone survey across 316 hectares of land designated for the Cleve Hill Solar Park in Faversham, Kent. As the UK’s largest solar farm development at the time, the project will generate renewable energy for thousands of homes through photovoltaic panels, supporting the UK’s transition to a greener future.
Our team was engaged early in the project lifecycle to support the safe construction of the solar park. With a UXO risk identified across the site, a full magnetometry survey was required before any intrusive groundworks could begin.
Given the size and layout of the land, Brimstone deployed its state-of-the-art UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to carry out the survey. Drone-based UXO surveying offers significant advantages for large-scale renewable energy projects, combining speed, accuracy, and minimal disruption to the environment.
UXO Drone Survey: Safe and Efficient for Renewable Sites
Brimstone surveyed all 316 hectares of the site in just 25 days using our UAV system – compared to an estimated 150 days using traditional push-cart methods. The solar farm site presented environmental challenges, including a high water table and active agricultural use, making UAV deployment the most suitable and least disruptive solution.
Our drone-mounted magnetometers collected detailed data, which was processed by our in-house geophysics team. Using noise reduction techniques and advanced modelling software, we identified anomalies consistent with known UXO signatures.
- Total targets identified: 1606
- Detection depth: Up to 1 metre
- Location accuracy: Within 5cm
We recommended that no ground-intrusive activity should continue until further investigation of these targets had taken place.
Target Investigation and UXO Disposal
Following the survey, Brimstone’s explosives engineers were mobilised to investigate and confirm the presence of UXO. Several 30mm projectiles were located at a depth of 1 metre – demonstrating the sensitivity and precision of our UAV-enabled UXO detection capabilities.
All discovered items were safely removed from site and disposed of in accordance with industry regulations.
Once investigations were complete, we issued an ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) certificate, providing assurance to the client that the area was cleared for development.
Supporting the UK’s Renewable Energy Goals
Brimstone is proud to support the development of Cleve Hill Solar Park – an important project in the UK’s push towards renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. By providing a rapid and reliable UXO survey and clearance solutions, we helped ensure that the construction timeline remained on track, without compromising safety or environmental standards.
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