A NEW flood defence scheme is set to be constructed at the AWE Burghfield site.

The Ministry of Defence has submitted a planning application to West Berkshire Council, requesting permission to build flood defences for the site, which has a history of flooding problems.

The planning application is seeking permission for the construction of a pumping station, embankments and an upstream flood storage area on land to the south of the AWE site, Burghfield Brook will be widened where it passes through land owned by the MoD, and a newly constructed high-flow channel will be designed.

The scheme is expected to take approximately eight months to construct.

Independent watchdog Nuclear Awareness Group (NAG) has welcomed the move.

Evelyn Parker, secretary of NAG, said: “NAG has consistently warned of the risks posed by a nuclear site situated in a flood risk area.

“It has long been known that there is a history of flooding at AWE Burghfield.

“In 2007 when AWE Burghfield was badly flooded, the taxpayer ended up footing a hefty bill for AWE's complacency.

“AWE has now finally conceded that flooding is a problem at Burghfield and that a new flood defence scheme is needed to protect the site.

“NAG welcomes this belated acceptance of the flood problems at Burghfield, and will not be objecting to the planning application for the scheme. Better late than never.

“However, we can’t help feeling that the best solution of all to the problem would be to stop building nuclear weapons at Burghfield.”

Val Hincks, spokeswoman for AWE, said: “The scheme has been designed to increase the standard of flood protection at AWE Burghfield from the Burghfield Brook.

“The application principally comprises the widening of the Burghfield Brook to a two-stage channel where it passes through AWE Burghfield.

“During normal conditions, the low flow stream/channel will be attractive and a good mix of ecology.

“During high flow – flood conditions – the widened channel will accommodate the additional water without breaching the banks of the new channel.”

The area will be on land recently purchased by the MoD, adjacent to the Burghfield site.