ORION laser - object now!

This time, it's the big one: ?20 million's worth of laser building (which can replicate the conditions of a nuclear explosion) is about to be approved by the Eastern Area Planning Committee (who?) unless you do something to stop it... and soon.

The closing date for objections to the new laser is 30 September, less than two weeks, so please please please write a letter of objection now:

READ DETAILS AND MAKE OBJECTIONS ONLINE BY CLICKING THIS LINK
http://tinyurl.com/dzn2e

SEND OBJECTIONS BY POST TO
Senior Planning Officer
West Berks. Council, Market Street, Newbury RG14 5DL
cinwards@westberks.gov.uk
Tel: 01635-519111
Fax: 01635-519408
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A letter below suggests some of the points you could make, but please feel free to adapt it, cut it, amend it - just bear in mind that for objections to be considered they have to be made on planning grounds. You can't just say that nuclear weapons are illegal and immoral etc etc - they will just throw it in the bin.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Area Planning Committee will be meeting at Calcot Centre, High View (off Royal Avenue), Calcot (on the distant outskirts of Reading) on 21 September 2005, to discuss the NOPD for the super-exciting modular buildings. We would love to see you there: last time we had snow and body-bags, this time we may have monkeys or ostriches, but we also need people just to come to show the depth of opposition to the next generation of nuclear weapons. In themselves, these four office buildings are quite innocuous, but they will house the staff and contractors working on the new developments.

NOTE:
To subscribe to email alerts for action YOU can take to oppose the next generation of nuclear weapons, send us an email with the subject line "tng_alerts". This lists is announce-only (so no discussion), with minimal (but important!) traffic.
Application details

05/02003/RESMAJ
AWE Aldermaston
Paices Hill
Aldermaston
Reading

Proposal: DOE Circular 18/84 Replacement Laser research facility (Orion)
Major Reserved Matters apps (13wks) (reserved matters are details that did not appear in the original NOPD which was given outline approval; it includes, apparently, further details on height, size of buildings, final siting within the identified area, external appearance and material selection, amenity features (!!!!!) and landscaping)

Dates:
recieved 02/09/2005
target date 02/12/2005 (this is date by which the whole process will be complete - the date for objections is 30 September)
applicant D E Jones (Aldershot)

MODEL LETTER

Planning Department
West Berkshire District Authority
Council Offices, Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 5LD
(planapps@westberks.gov.uk)

Reference: 05/02003/RESMAJ
Proposed development at: AWE Aldermaston, Paices Hill, Reading, RG7 4PR
Proposal: DOE Circular 18/84 Replacement Laser research facility (Orion)

Dear Clive Inwards

I am writing to object to the proposed development of a new laser facility at AWE Aldermaston.

The laser is a major ?20 million development which forms part AWE's Site Development Strategy Plan and as should not be considered in isolation. Despite repeated requests by objectors, and a decision by the Eastern Area Planning Committee (23/02/05) no overall Environmental Impact Assessment for the site as a whole has been provided.
This contravenes the government's own guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments, which state that "a planning application should not be considered in isolation if, in realty, it is properly to be regarded as an integral part of an inevitably more substantial development".
AWE has not complied with this decision and cannot be allowed to continue to flout planning committee decisions by submitting more applications in a piecemeal manner.

We also note that West Berkshire Council have been informed, in writing, and with photographic evidence, that work has started on site ahead of this application. The planning process is being brought into disrepute with this retrospective and incomplete application, just as AWEare making a mockery of the consultation process

This particular development is extremely significant part of AWE?s plans
:

* It will have a major negative impact on the character and appearance of the area given the size of the proposed building.
* It will have a massive impact on traffic: the March 2004 EIA (3.1, p.10) anticipates a 9 % increase (130 vehicles per hour); over 20 companies have contracts to work on the site; the main contractor estimates construction will last at least 30 months. No overall Transport Strategy, requested by the authority in February 2005, has been provided.
* The 5 feet thick walls of the laser building to provide ?essential shielding?, suggest that a dangerous procedure is to take place inside. Any additional high-risk procedure at this nuclear warhead production site is unreasonable, both for neighbours and for the local public protection authority.
* Although very little radioactive discharge is claimed for the normal running of the laser, accidental discharges of radioactive material have recently taken place at Aldermaston. The discharge of even small amounts of radioactive particles place the health of both the local population and people elsewhere.
* The possible effects of a serious laser accident are not known.
* The proposed high-powered laser will enable AWE to replicate the conditions of a nuclear explosion, and enable the construction of predictive models to design and test nuclear weapons. This proposed development is part of a major defence project: it is not a local issue, and should be referred to the Secretary of State.

In law you have the power to say ?no comment ? on this application. Please use your powers to refer the matter to the Minister, requesting he set in motion a more detailed and democratic public inquiry.

Yours sincerely