A possible expansion of the the safety area around Aldermaston and Burghfield was discussed at the recent full council meeting of Wokingham borough council.
Cllr Dave Edmonds asked Cllr Stephen Conway, the leader of the council: “Given the expansion in housing and population in the south of the borough, has he contacted AWE to request they review and potentially enlarge the current size of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) so that it remains fit for purpose?
Cllr Conway said: “The DEPZ, just in case anyone is unaware of what this is, is the area for which an emergency plan needs to be in place – this plan is called the Atomic Weapons Establishment Off-Site Emergency Plan and covers the Aldermaston and Burghfield AWE sites.
“Your question assumes, I think it is an assumption that many people make, that the AWE is responsible for the extent of the DEPZ.
“That is, actually, not the case.
“West Berkshire council, not the AWE, is the responsible authority required to determine the footprint of the DEPZ.
“A review must occur within two months of West Berkshire council receiving an updated hazard evaluation and consequence assessment from AWE.
“Unless there is a change in operations on the AWE sites or West Berkshire council considers there is a change in the local area which necessitates an earlier re-determination, the review proceeds on a three-year cycle.
“When determining and reviewing the DEPZ, West Berkshire must, along with other considerations, ensure “the need to avoid, where practicable, the bisection of local communities” is taken into account.
“But they also must ensure that any plan must not be so large in its footprint or complex that it cannot be implemented effectively and rapidly and in a way that is proportionate to the consequences of the radiation emergency identified in the AWE hazard evaluation.”
Cllr Edmonds said: “With this Liberal Democrat council clearly committed to concreting over the south of the borough and dramatically increasing the population there, it is deeply worrying that they appear to have given little thought to the safety of residents that they could be endangering, especially those living near the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
“The number of people now packed into the DEPZ has surged as a direct result of this reckless development spree.
“To ignore the need for a thorough review and possible DPEZ boundaries would be nothing short of a dereliction of duty.
“Our residents deserve better than to be treated as an afterthought in the council’s rush to build at any cost.
“The council must urgently confirm that it is working with the relevant agencies, and as you have stated, West Berkshire council, to review, and where necessary enlarge the DPEZ to reflect the significant population growth.
“This is not just a planning issue. This is a public safety crisis waiting to happen.
“So, I ask the leader of the council to reassure us that as a matter of public safety, he will confirm that the local plan will not be finalised until the DEPZ boundaries have been formally reviewed and updated.”
Cllr Conway said “The local plan was the work of two successive administrations.
“The draft plan, which included nearly all of the major development sites including Hall Farm, was inserted into the draft plan by your administration, by your colleagues, and voted for by them.
“I am afraid your attempt to make this appear as if it is a Liberal Democrat dastardly plan to concrete over the south is very misplaced.
“Can I also just remind you that I have just explained what the process is by which West Berkshire will review this.
“What I did not have time to say is that the next review will be due in 2026.”
