A group exploring the possibility of siting an underground radioactive waste facility in Allerdale has agreed to move to the next stage.
The Allerdale working group has ended its work to find a willing community and a suitable site for a geological disposal facility, and unanimously agreed to recommend the creation of a community partnership for further discussion between the community and Radioactive Waste Management, which is leading the search.
Over the last 10 months, the working group has spoken with the local community, identified a search area for further consideration in the search for suitable sites to host a GDF and explored what it would mean to establish a broader community partnership that could take forward further engagement.
It is now down to local authorities and Radioactive Waste Management to decide whether they accept the working group’s recommendation and are willing to join a partnership.
This decision will be taken in the coming weeks.
If one or both relevant principle local authorities in Allerdale decide to join the community partnership, it is expected that formation will take place around two weeks after the decision is made.
The creation of a community partnership is the starting point for a more detailed conversation with the community. It does not mean a GDF will be built in Allerdale, the working group said.
The work of a partnership would include further public engagement and creating a ‘community vision’ for the long-term well-being of the community.
If a community partnership is formed, residents in the proposed search area will receive more information and details about how they can get involved.
