Radiation danger as nuclear bomb maker warns of huge risk facing new housing estate
Atomic Weapons Establishment objected to a proposed development near Reading as it would fall within a safety zone designed to keep residents safe.
Britain's only nuclear warhead factory has opposed a plan to build 475 homes nearby – as it claims it could expose families to radiation during an emergency.
Atomic Weapons Establishment Burgh-field, in Berkshire, objected to the proposed development at Spencers Wood, a village near Reading, as it would fall within a safety zone designed to keep residents safe.
The local authority, Wokingham Borough Council, has extensive plans to mitigate nuclear leaks, called a detailed emergency planning zone (DEPZ).
This includes what to do in the event of an incident, such as telling people to stay indoors or to evacuate them.
The AWE, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence, argued the increased population and traffic could hinder the emergency services ability to help existing residents in the event of an incident.
The former Second World War munitions factory is a 225-acre site where warheads are assembled and maintained while in service, and also decommissioned.
It has warned the council the new residents would live in an area exposed to a “radiation emergency” if something went wrong at nearby Burghfield.
In a letter submitted last month (JUNE) it stressed putting 475 dwellings within the DEPZ was “directly contrary to public safety and emergency planning advice and raises significant concerns.
“Whilst chances of a radiation emergency at AWE Burghfield are very low, the potential impact on the local population would be high and an appropriate and proportionate step is, to where possible, avoid new development being located within the DEPZ.”
The planned housing development would cover a 95-acre site and include a community centre, work units, sports pitch and green spaces.
Four years ago the MoD stopped a plan for a 15,000 home garden town at nearby Grazeley, arguing it was not safe to build so many homes in the zone because it would be “challenging” to evacuate or shelter all the residents quickly during a radiation emergency.
Harry Williamson, the council’s emergency planning manager, has indicated he would be likely to advise against the Spencers Wood proposal should it come forward as a full application.
