News: Observatory lodges objection to 75-home development

The Science and Technology Facility Council’s Chilbolton Observatory has lodged an objection to the planned 75-home development. It says that “As drawn, the proposals do give the Observatory operators serious concerns and represent a threat to the ongoing viability of the site.”

Mr Adam Trigg, who is Head of Estate Development at STFC, raises two main concerns:

• The 75-home development will interrupt the Observatory’s “clear horizon”
• Additional electromagnetic fields from the people, their homes and vehicles would affect the Observatory’s highly sensitive instruments

These issues could be mitigated by reducing the height of the new homes and reducing the density of development.

He also raises issues that have been concerns for Villagers: increased levels of traffic together with noise, dust and vibration from construction vehicles.

He concludes by saying:

STFC would welcome an open dialogue with the applicant to see what can be done to mitigate the issues noted and to explain in more detail the specific technical concerns. Currently we do not support the application on the grounds that it threatens to extinguish a unique UK science and technology capability.