Plans are in the pipeline to set up a youth group as part of Mid Copeland Community Partnership’s work with Nuclear Waste Services’ Geological Disposal Facility programme.
Young people aged 16 to 25 who live in the Gosforth electoral ward are invited to nominate themselves.
The partnership has been engaging with people over the past four years to see whether a GDF could be right for the local area.
A GDF is an underground facility designed to dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste.
Deep geology beyond the coast is being considered for siting the underground elements of a GDF in Mid Copeland.
It means a surface facility on, or near, the coast would provide access to a disposal area deep in rock beyond the coast.
The partnership now wants to set up a youth group to feed more views from young people into the ongoing conversation.
It said it would also allow young people to gain extra skills, including teamworking, and enhance their knowledge.
Priority will be given to those living in Gosforth electoral ward – which is the GDF Search Area – and includes the Seascale, Gosforth, Beckermet, Calderbridge, Haile, Thornhill, Nethertown, Braystones and Wasdale areas.
The event is being supported by Inspira, which provides career guidance, skills development and employment support to young people and adults in Cumbria and is also a member of the Partnership.
Andy Pratt, Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership chair, said: “We want to build on the strong work we have already established in the area working with young people through our development of shaping a community vision.
“Creating a youth group to meet with the partnership will take the youth voice to the next level in discussing and debating what they think a GDF could mean for them and their area, while feeding that into our programme of activities going forward.”
A free event will be held at Muncaster Castle on February 18, which includes a team-building experience, followed by a discussion about GDF and the partnership.
Transport to this initial event at Muncaster Castle will be provided for those who require it.
To take part, fill out the online form by January 31at https://qrfy.io/EUiGckPqsy
The GDF programme requires both a suitable site and a willing community and is still in the early stages.
Construction would only start on a GDF when a suitable site is identified, a Potential Host Community has confirmed its willingness to host the facility through a Test of Public Support, and all the necessary consents and permits have been obtained.
These steps could take around 15 years.
