PERMISSION is being sought for a new centre of excellence on a military facility near Tadley.

The Atomic Weapons Establishment has submitted plans to West Berkshire District Council for a new sixty thousand square metre development at their Aldermaston facility.

It will incorporate new laboratories, offices, meeting rooms, education facilities and a logistics store, as well as a gym, library, medical facilties, photography studios and more.

The scheme will also see "improvements to safety" on the nearby A340.

If approved, construction would take between 30 and 36 months, and could lead to the demolition of 75 other buildings on the AWE site.

John Steele, head of estate development and planning, said in cover letter to WBDC, said: "It is intended that this would create a campus environment, with an enhanced welcome, celebrating and supporting a flourishing AWE community.

"In doing so, it would showcase the work of AWE in the broadest sense and provide a high-quality environment to attract, develop and retain world class scientific staff.

"The Hub would not lead to an increase in capacity for AWE’s overall workforce or current operations as the Hub will allow the consolidation and rationalisation of existing space contained in ageing facilities into this new modern facility."

In a separate letter to WBDC, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said that they had no objection to the scheme requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment.

WBDC will now give their opinion on whether the assessment is required, before AWE decide how to proceed and whether to submit plans for the development.

To view the documents, go to the WBDC website and search 20/01048/SCREEN.