Three areas of land and an off-shore area in West Cumbria have been identified as possible GDF sites.
Nuclear Waste Services has identified four ‘areas of focus’ in Cumbria in its search to find a suitable site and willing community to host a geological disposal facility.
In the search for a suitable site for a GDF, three key elements are needed: the right sub-surface geological environment deep underground, a suitable surface location, and the ability to connect the two areas with accessways.
Surface locations identified would play host to the surface facilities and accessways to a GDF while the sub-surface locations identified are where the waste itself would be disposed of.
Two surface areas of focus have been identified in Mid Copeland, including land east of Sellafield and land east of Seascale. In South Cumbria, land west of Haverigg has been identified as another possible site. An area of focus has also been identified in East Lincolnshire.
The sub-surface areas of focus – where the waste itself would be disposed of – remain the same in the deep geology off the coast in Mid Copeland and South Copeland.
If one of these surface sites were to be chosen to host a GDF surface facility, it would not be built within 500 metres of Gosforth or Seascale.
Ponsonby Church, Greycroft stone circle, the ancient woodland at Calderbridge and Seascale Golf Club are also not included in the surface areas of focus.
The Hallsenna Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest is also excluded from the surface area of focus.
The surface site would also not be built within 500 metres of urban areas in Millom and Haverigg. Kirksanton has also not been included in the surface area of focus.
HMP Haverigg, Kirksanton Moss Nature Reserve and the Duddon Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest are not included within the surface area of focus.
Tunnelling to create an accessway to the potential site would also be avoided where possible beneath HMP Haverigg.
No areas which fall within the Lake District National Park or proposed southern boundary extension will be considered to host a GDF. Tunnelling for accessways to a potential GDF beneath settlements and urban areas would also be avoided where possible.
Nuclear Waste Services said identifying these areas allows it to focus site evaluation studies, such as transport and environmental surveys, and the site characterisation work needed to consider the potential for an area to safely host a GDF.
The identification of these sites does not mean a GDF or its surface facilities will be sited in these areas.
Construction will only start when a suitable site is identified, a potential host community has confirmed its willingness to host the facility, and all the necessary consents and permits have been obtained.
The areas have been identified using a a range of information, such as geological data, areas of environmental protection, and consideration of built-up areas.
Corhyn Parr, chief executive officer at NWS, said: “NWS is delivering a GDF as the safe, secure, and long-term solution for the most hazardous radioactive waste.
“We are making real progress and establishing these areas of focus will focus our investigations to help us determine the potential suitability of a specific area, with on-the ground surveys, further desk studies and engagement with landowners.
“A GDF requires a suitable site and willing community and will only be developed when both are in place. We will continue our engagement with local people and stakeholders, and will be holding events in local communities to talk about what this means for each area.”
Nuclear Waste Services will host a series of webinars and local drop-in events to explain the areas of focus to residents.
Events include:
- Friday, February 7: Seascale Golf Club, 10am–3pm
- Friday, February 7: Baptist Church, Millom, 5pm–8pm
- Saturday, February 8: Seascale Golf Club, 10am–1pm
- Saturday, February 8: Kirksanton Village Hall, 2.30–6pm
- Thursday, February 13: Drigg Village Hall, 3pm–7pm
- Friday, February 14: Gosforth Public Hall 10am–2pm & 5pm–7pm
- Saturday, February 15: Beckermet Reading Rooms 10am–3pm Webinars (register here: or go to https://gdfareaoffocuswebinars.gdfevents.co.uk):
- Thursday, February 6: 6.30pm–8pm
- Monday, February 17: 12pm–1.30pm
What is a GDF?
A Geological Disposal Facility is an underground site designed to dispose of some of the most dangerous and destructive high-level radioactive waste safely.
Made up of a series of protective vaults and tunnels, a GDF gives the waste a place to be sealed away from humans forever.
GDFs are widely considered the best available technology for the long-term storage of waste by scientists and are being built across the world.
The facilities aim to protect the environment and remove the cost and burden of storing radioactively waste from future generations.
Over 20 countries are at different stages of GDF consideration and development around the globe.
Finland’s GDF is expected to start operating before the end of the decade and Swedish and French facilities are on track for the 2030s while Switzerland’s set for the 2050s.
Cumbria Crack’s Lucy Edwards visited France to see its progress in 2023. Read all about it here.
