The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) allegedly failed to notify local councillors of its intention to increase radioactive output, it has been claimed.

The Nuclear Information Service (NIS) claims that AWE failed to mention the fact it was applying for the increase when representatives attended a Local Liaison Committee (LLC) on December 6.

As reported by the Reading Chronicle last month, AWE has applied to the Environment Agency for permission to increase its radioactive output in Aldermaston by more than 2,000 per cent.

But the NIS has branded its failure to notify local councillors, which includes representatives from Reading Borough Council, Aldermaston Parish Council and West Berkshire Council, as showing 'utter contempt for accountability' and for the local people who could be affected by the change.

The application, which is currently being considered by the Environment Agency, would allow AWE to increase the amount of radioactive gasses called ‘volatile beta emitters’ it is allowed release from 4.4 megabecquerels (MBq) to 100 MBq a year, an increase of 22 times, or 2200 per cent.

The NIS says that AWE did not include the application on the agenda of the LLC meeting, which was chaired by the company's Director of Site and Transformation, Haydn Clulow, on December 6, despite Mr Clulow personally signing off the application the previous day.

David Cullen, director of the NIS said: “AWE’s lack of respect for local councillors is shocking.

"They finalised the application the day before the meeting but failed to mention it, which shows an utter contempt for accountability and for the local people who would be affected by the proposed change. AWE should be forced to withdraw the application and apologise to the local liaison committee for this underhand behaviour.”

A spokesperson for AWE said: "At AWE as a responsible business in everything that we do, we need to demonstrate that our activities have minimal impact on the environment and local community. In doing so we have completed assessment work to demonstrate that this activity has minimal impact to members of the public. 

"We do our utmost to ensure that our LLC members receive timely and accurate information on our business activities and operations."