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The West Berkshire Core Strategy (2006 - 2026)

Date released
8 November 2023
Request number
202310041
Release of information under
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)

Information requested

Paragraph 5.43 of The West Berkshire Core Strategy (2006 - 2026) Development Plan Document (Adopted July 2012) includes “ONR’s decision whether to advise against a particular development is based on complex modelling. The ONR has indicated that on the basis of its current model for testing the acceptability of residential developments around the AWE sites, it would advise against nearly all new residential development within the inner land use planning zones defined on the Proposals Map”.

And Paragraph 5.44 states that “During the plan period there is likely to be changes of inputs to the ONR’s model which may result in a less restrictive approach being taken by the ONR. Such changes would include information on population and household size from the 2011 Census. The successful completion and full operation of the PEGASUS Project at AWE (A) (currently scheduled for completion in 2021), and the MENSA Project at AWE (B) (currently scheduled for completion in 2016), would enable the ONR to take into account the revised safety case for those projects in the modelling process and may enable a less constraining population density criteria to be applied. As a result, the consultation zones may change as well as ONR’s advice on particular proposals”.

May I have copies of technical reports explaining the “complex modelling” the results obtained and how the conclusion was reached (particularly exactly how the conclusion was articulated).

Any correspondence you have had with the relevant local authorities communicating and explaining the advice.

Any reports or communications about updating the complex modelling in the light of changing circumstances.

Any similar assumptions against planning permission in any zones around any other nuclear licensed site in the UK.

Information released

May I have copies of technical reports explaining the “complex modelling” the results obtained and how the conclusion was reached (particularly exactly how the conclusion was articulated).

The reference to “complex modelling” is a term used by West Berkshire Council in its Core Strategy (2006 -2026) Development Plan Document. This strategy is available via the West Berkshire Council website. ONR (and its prior incarnations) participated in the consultation and examination of the Core Strategy. Relevant documents are provided, including a letter to West Berkshire Council summarising our analysis and conclusions. The documents requested are as follows:

  • West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination (Burghfield Licensed Nuclear Site – Nuclear Safeguarding Zones) June 2011
  • West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination – Future developments near the AWE Burghfield 28 January 2011
  • West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination – Nuclear Installations – AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield 6 April 2011
  • West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination - Future developments near the AWE Burghfield 28 January 2011
  • Residential Developments in the Nuclear Safeguarding Zone of AWE Aldermaston 12 December 2008  
  • Annex A – DEPZs – Justification for HSE NIIs position to advice against – Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council – 12 December 2008
  • Burghfield analysis email 24 November 2010
  • Burghfield analysis email 24 November 2010 – Attachment 1 – Burghfield grid with stadium
  • Burghfield analysis email 24 November 2010 – Attachment 2 – Burghfield grid no stadium
  • Burghfield analysis email 24 November 2010 – Attachment 3 – Burghfield with stadium
  • Burghfield analysis email 24 November 2010 – Attachment 4 – Burghfield no stadium
  • AL2 Burghfield email 26 November 2010
  • AL2 Burghfield email 26 November 2010 – Attachment 1 – Burghfield grid with stadium
  • AL2 Burghfield email 26 November 2010 – Attachment 2 – Burghfield grid no stadium
  • AL2 Burghfield email 26 November 2010 – Attachment 3 – Burghfield with stadium
  • AL2 Burghfield email 26 November 2010 – Attachment 4 – Burghfield no stadium
  • Final Analysis email 12 January 2011
  • Final Analysis email 12 January 2011 – Attachment 1 – Worst Case Map
  • Final Analysis email 12 January 2011 – Attachment 2 – Burghfield grid Burghfield Mortimer

The methodology described in these documents is a form of demographic analysis based on guideline population levels. This methodology was used at the time to provide land use planning advice on developments in the vicinity of the AWE sites; however, it has subsequently been discontinued for this purpose.

The current methodology by which ONR provides land use planning advice can be found on our website. The current demographic analysis methodology is based on guideline population levels (which is now used only for nuclear power plants) and is described in ONR’s guidance document entitled Land Use Planning and The Siting of Nuclear Installations - NS-LUP-GD-001, which can be found on our website.

Any correspondence you have had with the relevant local authorities communicating and explaining the advice.

In addition to the correspondence relating to the consultation and examination of West Berkshire Council’s Core Strategy Development Plan Document, the following documentation is attached:

  • Draft Minutes of a 30 November 2010 meeting: HSE NII approach to AWE following West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination Inspectors Request
  • West Berkshire Core Strategy Examination: Nuclear Installations – AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield 17 March 2011 (2011/153577)

Our advice on individual planning applications is available in the public domain on the relevant local authority’s website.

Any reports or communications about updating the complex modelling in the light of changing circumstances.

We revised our land use planning approach in 2013, which led to discontinuation of demographic analysis based on guideline population levels to inform land use planning advice on developments in the vicinity of the AWE sites. Please see attached ONR policy paper dated 22 January 2013, setting out the reasons for this change:

  • Policy Paper - The Basis of ONR’s Advice in Relation to Land Use Planning Applications paper to RSG dated 22 January 2013

Following this revision, land use planning policy guidance was provided to local authorities; a copy of this guidance dated 19 March 2013 is attached:

  • Land use planning policy – guidance for Local Authorities as to how ONR provides advice on planning applications 19 March 2013 

As already indicated, the current methodology by which we provide land use planning advice can be found on our website. This was last revised following recommendations arising from the research report “defining distances for consultation zones around nuclear sites”, which may also be found on our website.
We attach letters from the then Acting HM Chief Inspector for Nuclear Installations to the Rt Hon Maria Miller MP and Sir George Young Bt MP in which the new policy is explained. Both letters refer to a December 2012 meeting between ONR and West Berkshire Council at which an update on the policy was given; we can confirm that we do not hold any record from that meeting.

  • Letter to Maria Miller – informing of ONRs approach as to how LUP advice is provided 22 March 2013  
  • Letter to Sir George Young – informing of ONR approach to how advice is provided to local authorities on land use planning 8 March 2013

Any similar assumptions against planning permission in any zones around any other nuclear licensed site in the UK.

Any similar assumptions, if present, would be described in the relevant local authority development plans. This information is already in the public domain; however, sections of the local development plans from the local authorities affected by the DEPZs of the AWE sites that may be relevant to your question are tabulated below. 

West Berkshire Wokingham Basingstoke Reading

Core Strategy 2012 (to 2026)

 Core Strategy 2010 (to 2026)

Local Plan 2016 (to 2029)

Local Plan 2019 (to 2036)

CS8

TB04 SS7 OU2

Further information

It is important to note that any information relating to an individual has been redacted from the enclosed documents as it constitutes personal data. The release of this type of information could identify an individual either directly or indirectly, and as such, any personal data that could identify an individual has been withheld under the remit of exemption s.40(2) of the FOIA.

Exemptions applied

N/A

PIT (Public Interest Test) if applicable

N/A