Wiltshire Council has disclosed that it knew about radioactive contamination at the former RAF Bowerhill base in Melksham six months before making the information public.
The contamination was first publicly revealed on June 14 after inquiries by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), which had been alerted to an application the council submitted to the Environment Agency seeking permission to clean up the site.
However, a week later it emerged that contractors working on the former Christie Miller sports centre—now being converted into a council depot—had identified contaminated waste as far back as January.
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The council’s delay in informing both councillors and the public has triggered sharp criticism. Nick Holder, the local ward councillor for Bowerhill until May’s election and former Conservative cabinet member, expressed deep concern over the secrecy.
“I was never advised about the contamination, neither as the ward councillor nor as part of the committee overseeing the site’s redevelopment,” Holder said. “It’s shocking that we had to learn about this indirectly through the press. The fact that Wiltshire Council was aware back in January but chose not to notify us is unacceptable.”
Holder requested to raise the issue as an urgent question at an extraordinary cabinet meeting focused on council finances but was denied the opportunity. Council leader Ian Thorn acknowledged the concern, stating, “I am aware of the matter and share some of the concerns. We must implement a better system to keep ward members informed when issues arise within their areas.”
Wiltshire Council has since confirmed that it officially became aware of the contamination in February. The cleanup application to the Environment Agency was approved for submission on May 13, and by June 2 the agency confirmed it was processing the permit.
When questioned about the lack of early communication to councillors and the public, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration, and assets, Cllr Helen Belcher explained that because the contamination was only slightly above natural background levels, the council did not consider it necessary to notify until later. “We will review this approach for future issues,” she added.
The council maintains that the risk posed by the contamination remains very low. According to Cllr Belcher, “If someone were to sit for one hour a week over a year in the area with the highest levels, they would receive a radiation dose equivalent to a single dental X-ray.”
The contamination is believed to stem from luminising processes used by RAF personnel when the site operated as an engineering and instrument school. Fluorescent paint was applied to instrument dials to ensure visibility in the dark, leading to residual radioactive waste.