Unauthorised works at nuclear bunker to be fixed

Unauthorised works at a Cold War nuclear bunker can be put right, planning experts have decided.

The Royal Observer Corp (ROC) site on New Road, in Badsworth near Pontefract, is one of more than 1,500 monitoring posts built to protect volunteers who would measure blast waves and radioactive fallout in the event of an attack.

The 1950s structure was sold at auction for £29,000 in November 2024.

The planning application to Wakefield Council said unauthorised above ground work had previously been carried out and the new owner wished to bring the site into compliance with planning rules.

Details of the breaches were included in a retrospective application for timber fencing, a patio and a parking space next to the property entrance, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicant said land adjacent to the bunker previously included a grassed garden area.

The report outlined that "unauthorised works were undertaken on the land, including the installation of decking, areas of hardstanding, and fencing that exceeded permitted development limitations".

The application added that the new owner had purchased the site in "good faith" and had made efforts to bring the site into compliance.

The document said decking at the site had been removed and fencing had been reduced to 3.2ft (1m) in height to comply with regulations.

Changes were also made to the parking space to "address existing highway safety concerns."

A planning officer's report said the amended scheme was "considered acceptable" and complied with planning policy.

The bunker, located 15ft (4.5m) underground, had a guide price of £15,000 to £20,000 when it was auctioned eight months ago after being restored to its original condition by the previous owner.

At the time, the auctioneer said there were only a "handful" of the bunkers, which would have contained enough food and water for 14 days, left in the country.

On the price, he said it "would be worth a lot more if you ever need it".

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.