Update October 2007

NIS UPDATE October 2007

Last call for OBJECTIONS TO AWE SMALL SCALE COMPONENTS

MANUFACTURING FACILITY COMIND/07/01686

It appears that the 12 week Consultation period allowed for West Berks. Council WBC to receive objections to the replacement warhead components facility at AWE Burghfield was a mistake! The Council’s intention was to set a closing date of 1st October and have the whole matter through committee and settled by 8th November. Fortunately an objector notified NIS that WBC had set a committee date for 24th October and representation was made for a delay since that would be before the closing date listed on the WBC website. Planners have agreed to defer the item on the committee agenda until 14th November.

Only 20 Objection received
On inspection of the file at WBC offices in Newbury, only 20 Objections were filed by 26th October. This is disappointing, since the Laser plan, the first major proposal of the new site development plan in 2003/4, attracted around 500 objections. But the Burghfield facility will produce warhead components as soon as it is built. PLEASE OBJECT NOW.

Environment Agency Objection
The EA objects on the ground that sufficient flood protection is not provided. “The system should be designed to accommodate a 1 in 100 year storm event with a suitable allowance for the impact of increased rainfall intensity as a result of climate change”. In response, the Planning Officer’s report states, “It is anticipated that this issue will be addressed to the EA’s satisfaction and that this objection will be removed.” The plan is then recommended.

OBJECT under Local Plan Policy ENV.11 and PPS25 (info on Google)
The AWE Burghfield site suffered serious flooding in July 2007 and increased flooding is predicted in future owing to climate change. The high water table under this land renders is unsuitable for any further development.

Send Objections to: CInwards@westberks.gov.uk or
C. Inwards, Development Control, West Berks. Council,
Market Street, NEWBURY Berks RG14 5LD
Model Letter attached for your completion if needed

Address

C. Inwards,
Development Control,
West Berks. Council,
Market Street,
NEWBURY
Berks RG14 5LD

Reference: COMIND/07/01686

Date

Dear Clive Inwards

Objection to AWE Burghfield small components manufacturing facility

I object to the proposed plan at AWE Burghfield on the grounds that the site suffered serious flooding in July 2007 and increased flooding is predicted in future owing to climate change.

The Application does not comply with Local Plan Policy ENV.11 and PPS25 and the high water table under this land renders is unsuitable for any further development.

Yours sincerely