Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment

A Preliminary Risk Assessment is a Stage 1 desk study under the CIRIA C681 framework. It draws on national military records, bomb census databases, aerial photography archives, and geological data to establish whether a credible UXO hazard exists at your specific site. The output is a risk rating (negligible, low, moderate, or high) and a recommendation for whether further action is required.

In most cases we deliver the report within 24–48 hours of instruction, making it one of the fastest ways to satisfy a planning pre-commencement condition or provide due diligence evidence to a funder. For straightforward sites outside major bombing target areas, turnaround can be same day.

We need the site address or National Grid reference, a site boundary plan, and confirmation of the proposed development type and anticipated excavation depths. That's it. Our specialists source all the historical military and ordnance records directly from national archives, bomb census datasets, and our proprietary threat database.

As early as possible, ideally at the planning or pre-application stage. An early assessment allows you to understand the UXO risk profile before committing to foundation design, programme, and procurement. It can also be used to satisfy a planning authority's requirement for initial UXO evidence before consent is granted.

Preliminary Risk Assessments are competitively priced relative to the value they provide in protecting your project programme and legal position. Fees are typically fixed per site, based on area and complexity. Contact us with your site details for a same-day quote.

A low risk rating means that on the available evidence, the likelihood of encountering UXO is small and no further action is considered necessary provided excavation depths remain within the assessed limits. The report documents this conclusion formally, providing a defensible record for your CDM health and safety file, insurer, and planning authority.