Radioactive waste to be moved as Winfrith nuclear site is decommissioned

The operation, which will involve a two new buildings alongside the heavy water reactor, could last up to two years.

Radioactive material from the steam generating heavy water reactor and nearby Dragon reactor will be encased in concrete within special containers inside the building, allowed to ‘cure’ on site for around 28 days before being moved by road to Harwell. Around 100-120 boxes are expected to be filled and taken off the site in total. Each of the special reinforced 50 ton containers to be used will measure 2.5 by 2.2 metres.

The operation is part of the final phase of decommissioning the Dorset nuclear site. The proposal was granted temporary planning permission at the county council’s regulatory committee meeting in Dorchester on Thursday.

The former Magnox site, established in the 1950s, is expected to be restored to heathland by 2023. The last reactor on the site ceased operation in 1995.

Councillors heard that the application had not attracted any public or statutory objections.

Principal planning officer Charlotte Rushmere told the committee that the site is not visible from the nearest public highway, Gatemore Road, and is in the south west corner of the Winfrith site off the internal Monterey Avenue.

The entire site is surrounded by a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is close to several ancient burial mounds on Blacknoll Hill, 350 metres away from the site. She said none of the sites would be affected by the proposals and there were mitigation proposals for the potential loss of a small areas of acid grassland.

During construction there are likely to be up to ten HVG movements each weekday over a 30-week period, with this dropping to four or less movements each day once in operation.

The new buildings, a standard industrial design, will be about 12metres high and will be removed, along with other buildings, once the work is completed.

The committee approved the application without discussion.