Calls to take part in nuclear waste talks have been rejected by the county council’s leader because a planned underground facility would result in the loss of thousands of well-paid jobs at Sellafield.
At the cabinet meeting on Thursday, leader Stewart Young was asked to consider reversing the decision not to participate in the Copeland GDF Community Partnership, tasked with discussing the possibility of hosting a Geological Disposal Facility, known as a GDF, with residents.
An underground nuclear waste facility is being discussed for the Gosforth, Seascale and Beckermet area by the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership. The South Copeland GDF Community Partnership has formed to discuss the possibility of hosting a GDF in Millom.
Copeland Council agreed to join the partnerships along with Cumbria Association of Local Councils and Radioactive Waste Management, releasing £1 million a year in investment for each area.
The county council decided not to take part in talks last year and during a previous process in 2013.
Millom councillor Keith Hitchen gave a speech to cabinet, calling for a reversal of the decision allowing the area to fully reap the rewards of community investment.
Cllr Hitchen said: “I believe it’s important we don’t lose sight that we still have to represent the views and opinions of our local communities.
“We have projects going on that I’m sure would benefit from a share of that £1 million. Here we have an opportunity to actually give guidance to that partnership on where some of those funds could be invested.”
But Cllr Young said: “The huge concern about which you should be concerned, Copeland Council should be concerned and indeed the residents, is that if this goes ahead and the waste from Sellafield is transferred to a GDF, that will lead to the loss of thousands of well-paid jobs at Sellafield because Sellafield exists to look after the waste legacy of the nuclear industry.
“I for one couldn’t support what would destroy the economy in that part of West Cumbria.”
Cllr Young said a GDF would also have profound financial implications for the councils.
He added: “As buildings were taken down as part of the ongoing work programme, the company has been required to apply for a review of their business rates and as that process continues they will continue to do that. Copeland lost £13 million as a result of that last review, the county council lost £4 million.”
A spokesman for RWM said the invitation to join all GDF community partnerships remained open.
He said: “A GDF will generate many thousands of jobs over its 100-plus year lifetime. There will continue to be thousands of jobs at Sellafield for the foreseeable future: clean-up and remediation of the site will take at least another 100 years.
“The site plans also take full account of a GDF being developed.”
