Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), operator of the Winfrith site, has applied to change its radioactive substances permit and for a new permit for non-radioactive waste.
The Environment Agency is consulting on two applictions by NRS to bury waste as part of the decommissioning work at the site.
Application reference number: EPR/PB3898DC/V004
NRS wants to make on-site disposals of low-level solid radioactive waste at the Winfrith nuclear site. Both the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor and Dragon reactors have large sub-surface voids or basements constructed from reinforced concrete. NRS plan to demolish all the remaining site buildings including the reactor buildings to ground level and backfill the sub-surface voids with the demolition waste. This will mostly be concrete, bricks and tiles. Some of the floors and walls of the sub-surface structures have low level radioactive contamination and some of the waste that will be used to backfill the structures will be radioactive.
Application reference number: EPR/CP3329LD/A001
To enable the partial infilling of below ground voids at the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor and Dragon Reactor at the Winfrith Site. Infilling works will be undertaken as a recovery activity, with site derived construction and demolition materials, which are classified as non-radiological and non-hazardous waste. The wider regulated facility will support decommissioning at the Winfrith Site and align with the agreed end state design for the facility.
Consultations close 5 September 2025.
Submit a response to EPR/PB3898DC/V004 via the Environment Agency's consultation website USING THIS LINK.
Submit a response to EPR/CP3329LD/A001 via the Environment Agency's consultation website USING THIS LINK.
