NAVY chiefs have denied pressuring Southampton City Council to reduce the number of homes in the city protected by anti-nuclear safety measures.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the local authority is considering reducing the safety zone surrounding the berth used by nuclear submarines from 2km to 1.5km.

Anti-nuclear campaigners fear slashing the number of homes that would get anti-radiation pills from 9,202 to 3,500 is simply a cost-cutting measure.

But Royal Navy spokesman Anton Hanney said the changed guidelines have been produced independently by the Health and Safety Executive.

“There’s obviously a cost involved, but that was not a factor in the reduction of the area,” he said.

“Whether it costs the Navy more or less money is immaterial to the HSE.”

Mr Hanney said the Ministry of Defence is required to reassess the risks every three years, and the guidance is then passed on to all affected councils for their information.

“It’s absolutely up to them and they can have whatever distance they want, so long as it is a minimum of 1.5km,” he said.

A council officer will later this month decide whether to reduce the safety zone and revise Southampton’s emergency plans, for adoption in December.