August 2007 Update

NIS UPDATE                                                   August 2007

NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FOR AWE BURGHFIELD

The first of long awaited Planning Applications for Burghfield has now been submitted by AWE on behalf of the MOD to West Berkshire Council. The current Application detailed below is not for the urgently needed replacement of the DIS/assembly plant but for the process and manufacture of small-scale components such as polyurethane foam blocks, small ceramic components, potting and adhesive materials.  This currently takes place in a number of buildings across both AWE sites and this facility is proposed in order to rationalise this process, closing the relevant workshop at Aldermaston. The operations include the fabrication of polyurethane, ceramic and rubber components, the decanting/mixing of potting and adhesive substance and ongoing research and development associated with these materials/ components. However, the fact that HM Inspectors (Nuclear Installations) have been consulted on this application suggests that there is a nuclear risk activity involved that has not been disclosed. The Plans on the website are extensive – a far cry from a little potting shed! But without a significant array of lightening conductors, it does not appear that this application is for the desperately needed dual function disassembly/ assembly gravel gerties to replace old and safety-substandard facilities.

SMALL SCALE COMPONENTS FACILITY

The new facility is to enable warheads to continue to be serviced and new ones produced now and in the future. The usual grounds for objection are applicable:
Details of the plans show a building with a height of 8.8 meters, floor area of about 1465m^2.

OBJECTIONS

The 12 week Consultation period gives objectors time to be fully informed before submitting Objections. One issue that needs to be clarified is whether or not existing contaminated land and drainage problems on the Burghfield site give grounds for objection. The possibility of flooding in future can be raised with the Environment Agency (EA) and concerns regarding the involvement of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) can also be expressed.

EXAMPLES OF VALID PLANNING GROUNDS:

Contrary to Development Plan (Structure Plan or Local Plan)
Appearance (design, materials etc)
Traffic, parking or access problems
Residential amenity (noise, overshadowing, overlooking)
EXAMPLES OF INVALID PLANNING GROUNDS
Devaluation of property
Loss of view
Possibility of future problems (e.g. use of property)
Hours of Work and damage during construction
Business issues relating to the applicant
Possible fire hazard
Contended legal rights e.g. ownership

While moral and safety issues are not legal grounds for objection, in previous consultations, the officer’s report to the Planning Committee has included all the issues raised by objectors.

Details of the Planning Application
Application Number: 07/01686/COMIND
Address:
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Burghfield
Reading
Berkshire
RG30 3RP
Applicant:
MoD Estates Blandford House Aldershot GU11 2HA Tel: 01252 361922 
Proposal:
New small scale components manufacturing facility, associated plant and landscaping. Last Advertised: 23/08/2007
Expiry Date for Standard Consultation: 09/11/07
Target Date 1: 04/10/07
Target Date 2: 08/11/07
Parish: Wokefield Parish Council
Ward: Mortimer
Councillors:
Mrs M Lock The Oak House 64 West End Rd Mortimer Reading RG7 3TH

  And Mr K Lock at the same address. KLOCK@WESTBERKS.GOV.UK
The Officer dealing with this case: Clive Inwards, Senior Planning Officer cinwards@westberks.gov.uk or planapps@westberks.gov.uk Fax 01635-519408
Addresses:
Clive Inwards                          Communities & Local Gov.     The Planning Inspectorate
Planning Officer                      Eland House                           Temple Quay House
Council Offices                       Bressenden Place                  2 The Square             
Market Street                           London                                    Temple Quay 
Newbury                                  SW1E 5DU                             Bristol BS1 6PN
RG14 5LD                               Tel: 020 7944 4400                 Tel: 0117 372 8000
Tel: 01635 519111      Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk 

enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk

For the complete planning application see:

http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=07/01686/COMIND