New Pumping Station Proposed Near Wildlife Site

Exolum wants to build a new booster pumping station on previously developed land near Nine Mile Ride, outside Bracknell, inside the Gormoor Bog Local Wildlife Site.

The pipeline network was built in secrecy before and during World War II by the UK Air Ministry to deliver aviation fuel underground. It still carries high-pressure Jet A-1 fuel to airports and is now owned by Exolum, after the MoD sold the network in 2015 to Compañía Logística de Hidrocarburos, rebranded as Exolum in 2021.

The proposal is for a single-storey booster building about 9m by 5m by 5m with a galvanised steel façade, housing motor control equipment and tied into the existing site by underground cabling and a cable bridge. Vehicle access from Nine Mile Ride won't change and routine visits will remain occasional maintenance checks.

The site sits within 60 metres of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area and close to the Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heaths SSSI. Exolum says the compound occupies a small part of the Local Wildlife Site and does not contain the habitats for which it is designated.

An agent on behalf of Exolum wrote: "The motor control system consists of electrical equipment which is non-moving and will help make the existing pumping station more energy efficient."

"Therefore, as the new motor control system will have no moving parts, there will be no noise produced from the new building, hence, a noise impact assessment would not be required for this type of development."

"The site is normally unmanned, and the proposed building will not change this, there are currently weekly visits to ensure the site is secure and this will remain the same."

"Hence, there will no increase in visits to the site, meaning it is considered a significant impact in terms of noise and loss of privacy is unlikely to occur."

"The east elevation of the building, which faces in the direction of Longville Manor, includes a single pedestrian access door."

"This door is only expected to be used in emergencies, and as the site is unmanned, it is unlikely to be used frequently."

Exolum says the upgrade will support fuel pumping to London airports and could cut the need for road tanker deliveries to airports by around 60 tankers per day.

The company argues the scheme fits Bracknell Forest policies and the National Planning Policy Framework on sustainable infrastructure. Council officers say biodiversity net gain is not required because the works affect less than 25 square metres of habitat and no priority habitat is involved.

Bracknell Forest Council approved full planning permission on 21 July 2026.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter