People in south Copeland are encouraged to find out more about proposals for an underground facility for radioactive waste, which could be sited in the county.
Discussions are ongoing to find out if south Copeland is the right place for a geological disposal facility, also known as a GDF.
It is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of higher activity radioactive waste.
A community partnership was set up in December to take forward the discussions, taking over from the Copeland Working Group.
Its search area includes the borough electoral wards of Millom and Black Combe and Scafell and its role includes providing information for local people, helping with community discussions, questions and concerns.
The potential of the deep geology beyond the coast is being considered for siting the underground elements of a GDF. This means a 1 km sq surface facility on the coast would provide access to a disposal area deep in rock beyond the coast.
This week a leaflet is going out to households in the search area to provide more information about the partnership, geological disposal, community investment funding and how to get involved.
Kelly Anderson, community engagement manager for the partnership, said: “This community partnership is a starting point to consider possibilities around GDF in more detail. I would encourage people to get involved, ask questions, raise concerns – this is an opportunity to ensure your voice is heard.
“No decisions have been made about where a GDF could be sited. The role of the partnership is to consider the possibilities of hosting a GDF within the identified search area in more detail. It will help to refine search area boundaries and can identify priorities for community investment funding.
“There’s now access to £1 million a year investment funding for local community projects, which would rise to £2.5m per year if deep borehole investigations to assess geology were to take place and it’s good to see applications and enquiries coming in.”
The partnership has initial membership to begin with which includes Copeland Borough Council, the GDF developer, Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC) and local councillors.
A GDF requires a suitable site and willing community. If a suitable site is found in Copeland – which could take 10 to15 years – a test of public support to give people a direct say would be held with those living in the wards affected. Without public support the project would not go ahead.
A community that takes the opportunity to host a GDF will receive significant additional investment and long-term benefits for future generations, including jobs and skills.
For more information:
- Visit https://southcopeland.workinginpartnership.org.uk/
- Email [email protected]
- Call 0300 369 0000
People can also email the community investment funding team direct at [email protected]
