Radiation has been detected at Wiltshire Council’s new highways depot in Bowerhill.
Part of the former RAF Melksham site, once used to assemble aircraft during the war, became Christie Miller Sports Centre – which was recently demolished.
Inspections of the location, which is set to become the council’s central hub for highways operations, have revealed higher than expected levels of radiation.
Helen Belcher, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, 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.”
Wiltshire Council confirmed that an Environment Agency permit is required to continue work at the former RAF base.
A spokesperson added: “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.”
