Legal challenge over fears nuclear weapons could be based at RAF Lakenheath
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament fear building work at the base could pave the way for nuclear weapons to be stored there
A campaign group is poised to launch legal action over construction work planned at an airbase in north Suffolk, as it fears it could pave the way for nuclear weapons to be stored there.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) claimed the Ministry of Defence and West Suffolk Council have failed to assess the environmental impact of work at RAF Lakenheath.
The MoD and US Air Force, which operates the base, believe they already have the right to build a new dormitory for USAF personnel, as well as other facilities.
CND thinks they need to apply for proper planning permission for the work.
CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said: “USAF has ploughed ahead with construction at the airbase by purportedly relying on planning rights that assume that the development won’t have significant environmental effects."
"But in doing that they’ve completely ignored the risks that stationing nuclear weapons would entail and therefore might arguably be operating unlawfully in breach of planning control.”
Ricardo Gama, who is representing CND for law firm Leigh Day said:
“CND wants to make sure that the development at RAF Lakenheath, and the wider question of whether nuclear weapons should be stationed on UK soil, if that is what the USAF is planning, doesn’t slip under the radar without proper public scrutiny.
"The planning process is one way for members of the public to make representations on these controversial plans.”
RAF Lakenheath has been home to the US Air Force since 1948, with around 4,000 personnel working on the base.
West Suffolk Council has been contacted for comment.