Object to the £60 million new office development at AWE Aldermaston

Stop the next generation of nuclear weapons

AWE have submitted another planning application for a £60m development of new offices and car-parking for 1500 cars, part of the Site Development Strategy Plan.

From the location of the building - at the west end of the site - and contract information, we think that these two offices will house staff working on the new development of new weapons systems. According to AWE's "Connect" magazine (July 06), "AWE is investing in buildings, facilities and employees so it can carry out its work effectively" including by buildings this £60m, 21000 square metre (with water-features) facility. The "Connect" design graphic shows scientists skipping along to work next to the new office block and fake trees. We can't be certain, but we think they are on their way to do something illegal and immoral......

Ideas for Objection letters

You can try the "nuclear weapons are illegal type of approach", but the Planning Committee will only consider planning matters, so it is a bit of waste of time, therefore we suggest you object on some of the following grounds

* No Environmental Impact Assessment has been requested by the local authority, despite information in the application (plans to build a dedicated access road and a wheel wash) suggesting even higher levels of traffic than present during construction , and eventually parking for 1500 cars
* The Berkshire Local Plan provides for "continuing operations" at AWE Aldermaston. With 1500 parking spaces, these offices go beyond continuing operations. The local plan would support replacement buildings but it doesn't support a major redevelopment.
* These offices are part of a major development, "the size of Heathrow Terminal 5" (AWE Today, January 2006), which constitutes a major project, and should be the subject of a public inquiry
* Due to the large amount of opposition and concern at developments at AWE Aldermaston the whole development should be referred for a public inquiry
* AWE have yet again pre-empted the council's decision. The post of building surveyor/project manager for a "forthcoming" £60m office development was advertised in July 2006, starting date a.s.a.p.
* A positive decision by the council will pre-empt the current a government White Paper on the future of UK's nuclear weapons, expected in December 2006, and to be discussed in parliament, probably in February 2007. This building is linked to that decision. It would be undemocratic and a waste of £60m of public money to allow this building to go ahead in advance of a decision in parliament
* WBDC should reject this application, or at least postpone their decision until after a decision is taken in parliament.

How to object

Via West Berkshire's web-site:
http://tinyurl.com/ydhjex

By email to:planapps@westberks.gov.uk

By letter to: Senior Planning Officer, West Berkshire Council Offices, Market Street, NEWBURY, RG14 5LD

Please quote the following reference: 06/02326/FULMAJ 09/10/2006 AWE Aldermaston. Paices Hill. Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4PR

Further info about this application

Proposed new office accommodation (circa 21,000 m²) plus associated landscaping including water features. Car park for circa 1,500 vehicles plus associated landscaping and access. Construction related infrastructure including access road, car parking, reception building, gate house, facilities management building, wheel washing facilities, use of land for construction compound, fencing gates and ancillary facilities. Pending Consideration.