THE future of the former nuclear research site at Winfrith after decommissioning in less than 10 years’ time is in the spotlight this week.

Site managers are seeking views on options for the site after its demolition and the land is cleaned up in 2021.

It is envisaged the site will be returned to its natural heathland state and landscaped with access to the public.

Exactly how that will work and how it will be run is now under discussion. Options for landscaping and management are being put to the public and groups at exhibitions.

The way forward could include creating a nature habitat with limited public access, or combining this with some form of community amenity such as an education centre.

Management options could see a third party taking over the site, or it could be managed by the current owners to allow environmental monitoring to be carried out.

An exhibition on the options was held last week, which was very well attended, and another is planned for tomorrow.

The events build on a previous consultation a few years ago which defined the site’s ‘End State’ as a heathland landscape with public access.

Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRLRSRL), which manages Winfrith and is responsible for its decommissioning and closure, is seeking views and feedback.

Winfrith closure director at RSRL Michael Dunnett said: “We are making significant progress decommissioning Winfrith and are keen to know in further detail what the local community would like to see when site works comes to an end in 2021.

“At our public exhibitions, we will be putting forward a number of landscape and management options for the site and are looking forward to speaking to our neighbours and the local community to hear their views on our plans.”

Winfrith was a major centre for groundbreaking nuclear reactor research from the late 1950s to the mid 1990s.

Earlier this year, phase one of decommissioning the experimental Dragon reactor was completed.

The exhibition is at the D’Urberville Centre in Wool on tomorrow from 2.30pm until 7.30pm. To give feedback visit research-sites.com Comments are welcome until November 18.