Explosions at Buncefield prompt calls for new rules to keep buildings at a safe distance.

A government advisor has warned that planning rules stipulating the minimum distance between fuel depots and other buildings are needed after the Buncefield explosion in Hemel Hempstead.

Tony Cox, from the advisory committee on dangerous substances, said: “if we cannot eliminate explosions we’ve got to consider them. The land use planning norms around terminals of this sort have got to be tightened up very considerably.”

Chair of the Select Committee of the office of the deputy prime minister Dr Phyllis Starkey echoed Dr Cox’s warning on the Today programme on Radio 4.

She said: “I think it’s absolutely right that there should be a moratorium for the moment until a new risk assessment can be done, and new guidance given, on how close to these depots it is safe to build either houses or factories.”

43 people were injured and a number of buildings were damaged as a series of explosions hit the oil depot at Buncefield on December 11.