Belle Toute Lighthouse

RPS has recently assisted our client with the redevelopment of the Belle Toute Lighthouse, Birling Gap in East Sussex. The site was located within the environs of a scheduled monument and the South Downs National Park and RPS was initially commissioned to undertake a Desk Study for Potential Historic Unexploded Ordnance Contamination.

Belle Toute Lighthouse

Through the initial research process, it was identified that the Belle Toute Lighthouse site was utilised during WWII, primarily by Allied Canadian Forces, as an artillery and tank training range. In addition, further research was undertaken to discover whether there was a potential risk from other UXO contaminants; namely from other WWI and WWII activities such as the Luftwaffe bombing campaigns and Anti Aircraft Artillery. However, no substantial evidence was found to suggest this and the risk from these sources of UXO was assessed to be Low.

Refined evaluation including further sources of historic mapping and aerial photography in conjunction with literary and documentary sources, suggested that a significant risk of encountering UXO was likely and it was recommended that mitigation be implemented to support proposed development.

Although a small site, as the Belle Toute Lighthouse site was located in an area of scientific and national interest, this posed additional concerns for both archaeology and UXO investigations. However, RPS provided guidance in support the intrusive works being undertaken at the site and support to the archaeological investigations which included liaison with County Archaeologists, the Downland Management Team and the Inspector of Scheduled Monuments. RPS also provided bespoke Explosives Site Safety Awareness Briefings to relevant personnel working at the site as well as providing Explosives Engineer support to clear ordnance ahead of construction and development phases.