The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

For the first time in decades, it is now possible to walk across the front of Harwell site without once stepping on nuclear licensed property. 

Some six hectares of land outside the Eastern Entrance of the site and in the area known as the North Gate has been released from the nuclear site licence by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

Site operator Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRL) has now cleaned up and delicensed 20% of the entire Harwell site following the 2010 de-licensing of seven hectares and 11 hectares in 2006. 

The latest change came into effect earlier this month (Jan 2012), when signs were moved to mark the reduced boundary of the nuclear licensed site. 

"De-licensing represents the final stage of the nuclear life cycle and demonstrates that RSRL has completed its mission on that area of land," said Alan Neal, RSRL Managing director. 

To enable the de-licensing, RSRL had to carry out extensive surveying and sampling works to demonstrate that any radioactive and non-radioactive contamination of the land had been addressed. 

The NDA is now seeking to 'de-designate' the area, allowing the land to become part of the wider Harwell Oxford campus that houses a range of high-tech businesses and research organisations.