BIRCHWOOD Park in Warrington is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 80 years since the first meeting of the UK’s atomic energy programme took place at the Risley site in a disused canteen.
That meeting, held on 4 February 1946 and led by Sir Christopher Hinton, later Lord, established the area as a focal point for nuclear coordination, design and innovation, bringing together an initial team of just 12 people tasked with designing, coordinating and delivering the UK’s atomic energy programme.
From that moment, Risley became the design authority and heart of the nation’s emerging nuclear infrastructure.
Over the following decades, teams based at Risley — now Birchwood Park — were responsible for the design, coordination and delivery of some of the most significant achievements in UK nuclear history, including the development of sites like Sellafield Springfields, and Capenhurst.
Eight decades on, Birchwood Park continues to play a central role in the UK nuclear sector.
Today, it brings together over 6,000 nuclear specialists from more than 30 organisations in one dedicated nuclear cluster, uniquely supporting activity across the entire nuclear lifecycle. From research and design through to operations, decommissioning and waste management, it is the highest concentration of nuclear employment in the UK.
This enduring role and celebration comes at a time of renewed momentum for nuclear.
The North West remains the UK’s leading nuclear region, with the sector forecast to grow by more than 8% annually and employment expected to increase by almost 50% by 2030, according to new figures highlighted by the Northern Nuclear Alliance in its Nuclear Week in Parliament 2026 paper.
From post-war reactor design to modern clean energy technologies, Birchwood Park’s story reflects the evolution of the UK’s nuclear industry itself – combining long-standing engineering excellence with collaboration and innovation that continue to shape the sector’s future.
Martin O’Rourke, Commercial Director at Birchwood Park, said: “This anniversary is a reminder that Birchwood Park has never been a peripheral site in the UK’s nuclear story – it has been central to it for eight decades.
For many people, that story is personal – with second and third generations of families building their careers here. As the sector looks ahead, that continuity of skills and experience remains just as important as the innovation shaping the future.
With increased investment and demand for nuclear skills, our focus is on ensuring Birchwood Park, in partnership with the Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA), continues to enable collaboration, innovation and long-term growth — not just for the North West, but for the UK’s energy future.”
The North West is home to the UK’s most comprehensive nuclear ecosystem, including the Northern Nuclear Alliance, Amentum, Cavendish Nuclear, Rolls-Royce, The UK National Nuclear Laboratory and a globally recognised nuclear supply chain.
Together, the region hosts almost 50% of the UK’s nuclear research and innovation activity, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the country’s nuclear ambitions.
To find out more, visit: https://www.birchwoodpark.co.uk/80-years-of-nuclear
Lord Hinton
