A forum for people to discuss their views about plans for an underground radioactive waste facility will be held in Copeland next month.
It is the first time the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership has held a forum and people are invited to attend to talk about the Geological Disposal Facility, known as a GDF.
South Copeland is one of four Search Areas in the UK currently taking part in the siting process for a GDF. Mid Copeland and Allerdale in Cumbria and Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire are the three others.
The GDF programme requires both a suitable site and a willing community. If a suitable site is found in South Copeland – a process which could take 10 to 15 years – a GDF could not be developed until the potential host community has taken a positive test of public support.
It would also require consent from regulators including the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency.
People are invited to register to attend the event, on September 20 at Millom Guide Hall, where they can share their thoughts on geological disposal and find out more about it, by participating in round-table discussions with other members of the community.
It is also an opportunity to help influence the work of the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership.
Ged McGrath, chair of South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, said: “I’d like to encourage people in South Copeland to register to attend the forum to have a conversation, ask questions, and share your views.
“As a community partnership, we’re very keen to hear from the public, so that we can understand their questions and concerns, and fulfil their expectations of us.
“We’re still in the early stages of the GDF programme, but if a suitable site is found in South Copeland, it is ultimately the potential host community that will decide if a GDF is built here. That’s why it’s really important that local people understand what a GDF is, why the UK needs one, and what this could mean for our area.”
The event takes place between 6pm and 8pm.
To register, visit https://scopelandforum.gdfevents.co.uk/home
