Site in Cumbria could be 'only option' for nuclear disposal
Members of Cumberland Council's nuclear issues board were given an update
Cumbria could be the only area left in the search for a suitable site proposed geological disposal facility (GDF), if Lincolnshire County Council pulls out of the process.
Members of Cumberland Council’s nuclear issues board met at Allerdale House in Workington on Monday (March 31) where they were given an update on progress of the search.
They were told that Lincolnshire County Council plans to withdraw however the next meeting where it can be decided is in June, following the local elections, where the result could signal a change in the new council’s intention.
According to the report in January, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) announced it was narrowing down its search for a suitable site for the surface facilities of a GDF.
It states: “It has now identified specific areas of focus, approximately three to four square km in size, within which further evaluation work will be undertaken.
“There are three areas of focus identified in the Cumberland Council area, two near the Sellafield site covering agricultural land between the towns of Seascale and Gosforth and one in the area between HM prison Haverigg and Kirksanton.
“NWS has undertaken substantial engagement activity about this development, including directly contacting affected landowners and tenants in the relevant areas to explain what it means and what will happen next.
“NWS hosted local drop-in events, where 477 people attended, and webinars updating communities on areas of focus.
“Two more events are planned for Seascale this month. Full information is available on the NWS website including links to brochures for both Mid Copeland and South Copeland.”
According to the report there was also a search area in East Lincolnshire and in November 2024 NWS announced that due to the maturing of competing demands for the former Theddlethorpe gas terminal site, it was having to consider alternative potential sites within the East Lincolnshire search area for the surface facilities of a GDF.
Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour), the Cumberland policy and regulatory services portfolio holder, said it was accepted that the preferred site would be in the Copeland area and added: “Do we go along with the site that has been identified?”
He said that the nuclear waste could not be left where it was and the preferred option would be to store it at a safe site. He added: “I think Cumberland Council should have a role in how that takes place.”
If a proposed GDF is to be placed in Copeland it has to have community support and Richard Griffin, from Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), told members that, while the process was at a very early stage, they had to use the electoral ward boundaries. He added: “It’s too early to say what wards would be affected.”
Councillor Daid Moore (Gosforth, Conservative) said following the recent announcement over plutonium, about how the Government plans to manage the UK’s stock of separated civil plutonium, the area should receive a “substantial benefit” because of the waste being stored within the council’s area.