The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

Two parcels of land at the Capenhurst site in Cheshire have been removed from the legal restrictions that cover the NDA's nuclear sites.

The move, known as 'de-designation', was ratified by Parliament at the end of May releasing the two areas for re-use in the future.

This is the first full de-designation since the NDA was established.

The land may be re-used in the future by fuel enrichment company URENCO, whose operations are adjacent to Capenhurst, and potentially enables future investment.

Capenhurst was built in the 1940s-50s to produce enriched uranium for defence purposes and subsequently converted to use for civil programmes. The site now stores uranic materials while areas not required for storage are being decommissioned.

The two plots of land, at opposite ends of the site, once housed part of the gaseous diffusion plant used for enriching uranium, which was demolished as newer technology became available.

Any new developments will be subject to regulatory and other consenting processes.

• Capenhurst designation modified - 18 March 2010
• More information on Capenhurst site