The suitability of South Holderness in Yorkshire’s East Riding as a site for disposing of nuclear waste is to be explored by a newly-formed working group – the second potential site in our region; the other being at Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire.
Establishment of the group is said by the Government to be a starting point for a conversation with a local community, and is in no way an indication that a ‘Geological Disposal Facility’ will be built in a particular area.
One of the Working Group’s tasks will be to engage people across the community to begin to understand the local area and any issues or questions the community might have.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today accepted the invitation to join the South Holderness GDF Working Group, which is the first step to opening discussions with the community about whether a GDF would be right for the area.
“Understanding what a GDF is and exploring the associated benefits is critical to the decision-making process for any community, because it will ultimately be the local community who decide.”
Dr David Richards, independent Chair of the Working Group, said: “The South Holderness GDF Working Group marks the beginning of finding out more about what a GDF is and gives our community an opportunity to share their thoughts about what it means for them.
“We want to work with local communities to discuss the potential of a GDFand the establishment of a Community Partnership, which if formed would benefit local good causes through grants of up to £1million pounds per year.
“My role as Chair is to make sure local communities have access to information and to understand what people think about a GDF. We look forward to meeting local people and listening to their views.”
A GDF is internationally recognised by governments and scientists as the only viable permanent solution for the safe disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste in the long-term.
It involves isolating the waste deep underground in suitable geological formations, placing it in highly engineered vaults and tunnels, keeping the waste safe and secure over the many thousands of years it will take for the radioactivity to naturally reduce.
NWS will be a member of the South Holderness GDF Working Group, along with the independent Chair, David Richards, Invest East Yorkshire (the Interested Party), East Riding of Yorkshire Council and members of the community.
NWS CEO Corhyn Parr, said: “South Holderness joins three other communities involved in the GDF siting process who are already learning more about this vital project and the benefits and opportunities it could bring, such as the creation of thousands of jobs and opportunities for investment in local infrastructure.
“We are looking forward to meeting local people, providing more information, answering questions, and listening to all views. This is a consent-based process, meaning if the community does not express support for a GDF it won’t be built there.”
