Radioactive contamination has been detected at the former Christie Miller site following an environmental survey of the area.
Wiltshire Council confirmed last month that contractors at the former RAF Melksham base in Bowerhill “identified radiation dose rates that were slightly higher than the normal background dose rates expected in the UK.”
The council insists there is “no elevated risk to the general public,” but has applied to the Environment Agency to carry out further investigations.
The contamination was found at the former Christie Miller sports centre – an RAF hangar which has been demolished and is being redeveloped by Wiltshire Council as a depot for its highways operations. Contractors had already found asbestos as part of the demolition work.
The former RAF Melksham station was established in 1940 as a base for the RAF School of Instrument Training and, later, the RAF Armament School. The RAF left Bowerhill in the 1970s and in the 1980s the base was redeveloped as an industrial estate.
Finding higher-than-normal levels of radioactivity at former RAF bases is not unknown, and not necessarily associated with weaponry. Luminous paints used in instrument panels can cause radioactive contamination.
No elevated risk
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, Helen Belcher, said, “As part of our plans for a new central area depot in Bowerhill, we have been carrying out environmental surveys on the site.
“Following a non-intrusive walkover survey, our contractors identified radiation dose rates that were slightly higher than the normal background dose rates expected in the UK.
“Although there were found to be higher dose rates, there is no elevated risk to the general public who may have accessed the site in the past, or in association with the current use of the land, as long as the land is not disturbed.
“We have now applied for an Environment Agency permit so that we can further assess the areas with a higher dose rate in advance of completing the required ground investigations and archaeological works on the site.
“This work will help us to finalise detailed designs ahead of the submission of a planning application. If that application is successful, we would look to start work on site in 2026.”
Papers seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service say that radiological surveys identified the contamination in January 2025.
Secrecy
The secrecy surrounding the discovery has been slammed by the council’s division representative, Nick Holder, who, until May’s election, was a member of the Conservative cabinet.
While the council insisted there was “no elevated risk to the general public,” Cllr Holder said he was not told about the find – a move he called “shocking”.
“I’m concerned that we should find out in such a roundabout way,” he said. “It appears Wiltshire Council was reluctant to go through the normal process of notification.
“It is unacceptable that the public found out about it first through the press. What annoys me more than anything is that they’ve known since January. Why weren’t we told?” he added.
Cllr Holder, who said he had been approached by concerned residents since the news became public, said he would be writing to Wiltshire Council officers asking for an explanation
