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Bordon and Nuclear waste - Chris (23rd Jun 2005 - 14:55:15) Does anyone have any more details on this article that appeared in the Bordon Herald some time ago (replicated below)? Looks like they're still looking for places to dump spent nuclear material around Bordon and Longmoor... www.bordon-herald-today.co.uk...4th news item down... Bordon was marked as dump site for nuclear waste MINISTRY of Defence camps at Bordon and Longmoor were earmarked by the government as potential dumping grounds for nuclear waste, it was revealed last Friday. After 15 years of secrecy, a highly sensitive list has been made public for the first time by the nuclear waste agency, Nirex. The list was forced into the public domain as a result of the Freedom of Information Act and reveals that 20 years ago the government seriously considered using MOD camps at Bordon and Longmoor and other sites within Hampshire to bury radioactive material. Twenty-five sites were on a secret list of places thought potentially suitable. Most locations were discounted quickly, but MOD camps at Bordon and Longmoor were among five sites that remained on the list until near the end of the selection process. They also included MOD camps at Crookham and Minley and a site at Barton Stacey, a training centre close to Winchester. These sites all made it to the fourth stage because they were considered right for location, ownership and size. But they were eventually rejected because the geology of the area was considered unsuitable. The list, drawn up in the 1980s by the Conservatives, was kept under wraps by the government and Nirex, the organisation responsible for dealing with intermediate-level waste. It has now been disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act, which came into force on January 1. Nirex revealed a long list of 537 sites which were considered as nuclear “dustbins”. But this was whittled down in six stages to 12. Sites at Andover, Bramley, Bramshot, Fareham, Farnborough, Fleet, Gosport, Hart, Lasham, Lee-on-the-Solent, Marchwood, Middle Wallop, Odiham, Portsdown, Southwick, Winchester, Winchester Range and Worthy Down were identified but removed at the first stage. Now the government is drawing up a new waste management strategy, although Nirex insists the old list will not form the basis of any search for a nuclear dump. Managing director Chris Murray said: “Radioactive waste exists and needs to be dealt with whether or not there is any programme of new build in the UK. Dealing with the waste is as much an ethical and social issue as a scientific and technical one. This is the key lesson we have learned from the past.” Nirex said that the sites in its list “will not form the starting point of any new site selection exercise”, but admitted that “the geology in the UK has not changed, so sites that were considered suitable previously on geological grounds could be considered suitable in a future site selection process”. Town councillor Adam Carew said: “I am totally stunned and outraged by this news. How the government of the day could have even considered sites near Bordon and Longmoor as a potential sites for dumping hazardous nuclear waste is beyond belief. It is far too close to human habitation. “Longmoor is of international importance for its heathland wildlife and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and European Special Protected Area (SPA) – it is the only place in the whole country to have all 12 native species of reptiles and amphibians such as natterjacks and smooth snakes. It contains the largest ephemeral lake in western Europe. Not to mention all the nationally important areas of archaeological interest. “Moreover, the geology is completely wrong – sand leaches and water perculates through it very easily before finding its way into our water courses. Very soon we hope this whole area will be part of the South Downs National Park precisely because it is worth protecting – the whole idea is scandalous. “There is a widely held belief in this community that Whitehill and Bordon has been singled out and used as a dumping ground for the last 30-40 years – only this time its nuclear waste they wanted to dump in our area. This news will do nothing to change this belief, rather it will re-inforce it. “This stuff is radioactive and highly toxic - it can take almost a thousand years to decompose. It is unbelievable that this area was considered up to the fourth round of the selection process.”

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