Winfrith Site Plan
What’s the plan for the NRS Winfrith Site?
At Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), we are dedicated to the safe, secure, and sustainable decommissioning and restoration of nuclear sites. Our mission extends beyond merely dismantling reactors. We aim to create a positive legacy for future generations and bolster resilient local economies.
Transforming Winfrith for the future
The decommissioning and restoration of the Winfrith site is set to be the first of its kind in the UK. Our approach not only considers the technical challenges but also places a strong emphasis on the community and environment. By restoring the site to heathland, we’re creating valuable habitats for local wildlife and providing amenity value for the Dorset community.
We are seeking your input on how we achieve this.
Our Engagement
Through previous engagement you have helped us identify:
- An end state of heathland with public access of amenity value to the local community, with the possibility of retaining some areas for commercial use.
- Retaining large structures on site and back filling with site derived rubble
- The approach to decommissioning and waste management
- Options for restoring the site and priorities in habitat creation
Building on previous engagement we are now looking to:
- Show how your feedback was used in developing plans for decommissioning and closing the site
- Seek your views on developing proposals and potential impacts from the closure of the site.
You Said, We Did
You Said
- The natural environment is the most important factor
- You would like the heathland to be a public space
- You wanted to protect the heathland and its wildlife
- You care about the workforce
We Did
The site will become accessible heathland with a mire.
We will also:
- Provide additional protection of more sensitive habitats by prioritising access to and footpaths in less sensitive areas by changing the final site design
- Ensure the creation of high-quality habitats through regular monitoring of habitat creation via a Restoration Management Plan
- Provide access into the heath by linking the new paths into the existing footpaths in the final site design
- All decommissioning activities will follow the stringent industry safety measures to protect our workforce and community
Environmental Impact Assessment
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?
An Environmental Impact Assessment is a legal requirement for developments that meet a certain threshold under the Town and Country Planning Act (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulation 2017.
It looks at the likely impacts of a project or development on the environment to reduce any significant negative impacts.
These are presented in an Environmental Statement. The Environmental Statement is submitted with the planning application, supporting the local planning authority to decide if planning permission should be granted.
Winfrith EIA
To deliver the Winfrith Interim End State, NRS will be submitting an Environmental Statement to Dorset Council.
It is being written by WSP in collaboration with NRS. The local community and key organisations such as Natural England and the environment Agency have been involved. This has helped shape proposals that, where possible, avoid or limit negative effects from implementing the proposals to return the Winfrith Site to heathland.
Have your say
NRS will
- Submit permit applications for environmental permits to allow management of wastes on-site
- Incorporate your feedback into the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement
- Submit a planning application for the final stages of decommissioning and restoration next year
- Environment Agency and Dorset Council will undertake consultations with the local community on the applications to gather your views and input.
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