After months, and in some cases years, of preparation, three major planning applications from the UK Atomic Energy Authority were unanimously approved by South Oxfordshire District Council this week.
These have granted (subject to final scrutiny by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) approval for:
- Outline planning permission for 9,000 square metres of new building space on the land west of E3. This provides us with the flexibility to begin redevelopment of the site, both for our own activities and to attract more hi-tech companies to locate at Culham.
- A new building to the north of K2 and J25 to house CCFE’s brand new Materials Research Facility.
- Retention of the JET office and power supply buildings (excluding J1) after JET has finished operations. These JET buildings had previously only been granted temporary planning permission, and can therefore now continue to be used.
The news was warmly welcomed by the Authority’s Head of Property Strategy, Steve Moss, who commented:
“This is really good news and is a major step forward for our plans to expand Culham in the future – both in terms of our fusion research and technology activities and increasing our hi-tech tenant base. The councillors were supportive of these applications, recognising the national and international significance of the cutting-edge research we undertake and the potential of the site to support additional employment.”
