New planning proposal, call for a public inquiry, and more...

- new planning proposal - laser facility - the next stage - call for a public inquiry - block the builders - spook the base

 

NEW PLANNING PROPOSAL
Case No: 0401940OUT
On 6 August - Hiroshima Day - Defence Estates for the Ministry of Defence, submitted an application to West Berkshire Council for the "erection of a high explosives fabrication facility" at AWE Aldermaston.
link

The application was withdrawn on 10 August? perhaps a change of conscience? No-one at AWE has been available for comment. We will keep watching the West Berkshire site and let you know if this one reappears.
Keep watching the AWPC website for updates and further information, including guidelines for making objections.

LASER FACILITY: THE NEXT STAGE
It is possible that the application for full planning consent (the last application was for outline consent)for the laser facility will be submitted as early as September. The council have said that anyone with an interest will be notified, so if you objected last time you should be notified. If not, watch the website and tng_alerts for details.

Meanwhile AWPC has seen scary architects drawings of the laser building by a company called Atkins; the drawings are not publicly available, but if you want to find out more about Atkins see link

CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY
Although the Thatcham Planning committee declined to use their power to refer the laser application back to the MOD and to recommend a public inquiry, there is growing support for a public inquiry, including from the Nuclear Free Local Authorities.
We need as many people as possible to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment,and call for a public inquiry into the developments at AWE Aldermaston. For background information and tips on letter writing, see the Resources section on the left sidebar (more resources coming very soon!).

BLOCK THE BUILDERS
The "Block the builders" pledge was successfully launched on 7 August at Aldermaston with a mock blockade, which attracted good coverage from the local press and the usual comments on Indymedia.
Block the builders in a pledge to take part in non-violent direct action to stop construction if work starts on the laser building site - which unless we can stop it beforehand will be sometime in early 2005.
For further details of the pledge go to http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk or follow the link from the sidebar.
Block the Builders is a mixed campaign, extending beyond the women's camp, and all pledgers are invited to join the BtB planning group: if you would like to be part of this group, please email us on info (at) aldermaston.net

SPOOK THE BASE
The first training camp for pledgers who want to "Block the Builders" will be held at Aldermaston on the weekend on 30 and 31 October 2004.
There are plans to offer training on blockading, affinity groups, legal briefings, non-violence and the new developments, as well as the opportunity to discuss tactics and logistics. And as it's Halloween, there'll also be some spooky goings on in and out of the base.
For further details, email btb (at) aldermaston.net