East Riding councillors pull out of conversations about plans for a nuclear waste disposal facility
Public consultations have taken place over the possibility of a site in the South Holderness area
East Riding councillors have decided to withdraw from conversations about whether a nuclear waste disposal facility should be built in the area.
Last month the council accepted an invitation to join a group which would start conversations about the possibility of it happening.
At today's full council meeting councillors voted 53 to 1 in favour of a motion brought by councillor Sean McMaster which called on the council to pull out from the siting process - he said there had been an overwhelming response from the community since the consultations began.
Nuclear Waste Services are looking for the right location to dispose of radioactive waste underground and the South Holderness area is one of four areas being looking at across the country.
NWS say it would bring jobs and investment to the area but have said they fully respect the council decision to withdraw from the process.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The purpose of the Working Group was always to open a conversation with the community about whether a GDF would be right for the South Holderness area.
“The council and NWS were clear about that from the very start.
“In the past few weeks, many people within the community have made it clear that they find this idea unpalatable and do not want South Holderness to be part of the conversation.
“Many other people have attended the drop-in events curious to find out more about the long-term benefits a GDF could bring to its host community.
“Councillors have today considered all these views and decided that it is right to withdraw from this process.”
Nuclear Waste Services have said:
“We fully respect the council’s decision to withdraw from the GDF siting process. Together with the Working Group Chair, we will now take the necessary steps to wind down the South Holderness Working Group and respond to outstanding requests for more information.
“Since the launch we’ve met with over 1200 people. We would like to thank those that have given up their time to speak to us and learn more about the GDF Programme.
“We will continue to engage with the other three Community Partnerships currently involved in the GDF siting process and will consider other communities who are interested in learning more about this vital project and the benefits and opportunities it could bring."