- Date released: 3 October 2025
- Request number: FOI202509035
- Release of information under: FOIA
Information requested
I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and/or Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).
There exists a stated requirement to consult the ONR on planning proposals located within a defined radius of nuclear facilities, in this particular instance, Burghfield AWE.
- With regard to West Berkshire District Council (WBDC) Planning Application no: 24/02579/FULMAJ, subdivision of an existing farmhouse from one to two C3 dwellinghouses, change of use of an agricultural building to three C3 dwellinghouses, change of use of one agricultural building to a garage/store, demolition of four agricultural buildings, widening existing access from Park Lane and associated internal access arrangements, parking and landscaping, please provide evidence of correspondence between the responsible local authority, other consultees and the ONR relative to this planning application.
- On 29 November 2023 the ONR issued correspondence to WBDC Senior Management (ONR reference: 2023/61771, Unique Number: ONR-TD-EPR-23-034). In subsequent correspondence the ONR reiterated the relevance of the content quoted within the body of the correspondence. Please provide a copy of correspondence issued after 29 November 2023 to WBDC Senior Management and/or responsible officers relating to the subject of the original correspondence.
Our response
We confirm that under section 1 of the FOIA, we hold the information you have requested. Please see below for a response to each of your questions.
Part 1
Please find the results of searches against part 1 of this request attached. Planning applications are handled entirely on our digital dutyholder portal, which facilitates the secure exchange of data and interactions between ONR and its dutyholders. Two emails relating to the pre-application are also attached.
Part 2
Please find the results of searches against part 2 of your request attached. We have recently responded to a similar FOI request regarding correspondence issued to West Berkshire District Council senior management.
Correspondence between ONR and West Berkshire District Council (FOI202504013)
Personal data within the documents has been redacted. This includes names, job titles and contact details. Disclosure of this information could identify individuals directly and has therefore been withheld under section 40 of the FOIA.
In particular, disclosure would breach the UK GDPR principles of lawfulness, fairness and transparency, as there is no lawful basis for processing this data. It would also breach the principle of purpose limitation, as the data was originally provided in a work context.
Exemptions applied
S.40
Public Interest Test
Not applicable.