Cumbrian councils defer decision on underground nuclear waste store

By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 13:28, Wednesday, 03 October 2012

Council chiefs are demanding more information from the Government before deciding whether to take part in a search to see if there is a suitable site in west Cumbria for a nuclear dump.

Eddie Martin

Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria county councils have opted to defer until January a decision about whether they should allow detailed studies and investigations to take place.

They say they have done this to seek clarification from the Department for Energy and Climate Change on a string of issues.

These include questions over the right to withdraw from the process and clarification on a package of “community benefits”.

County council leader Eddie Martin said: “This is not a decision which can be taken lightly.

“Members don’t yet feel we’re in a position where we have all the information needed to make a decision on whether to continue to engage in the process.

“The Government has always made it clear that, if necessary, the process can be paused while we seek clarification on unresolved issues.

“We’re at that stage now and the next three months will involve all three councils working closely with the Government to get to a position where a decision can be made.”

Elaine Woodburn, leader of Copeland council, said: “We already have a considerable amount of information, although there are many questions that could only be answered if further studies and investigations are carried out.”

Alan Smith, leader of Allerdale council, said the councils needed to take full account of a report from The West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership.

This report said “a lack of trust appears to us to be at the root of many of the key concerns”. The partnership includes a wide range of community organisations as well as all the councils in Cumbria.

Mr Smith added: “The councils need to ensure they have the information they need before making a decision.”

First published at 11:31, Wednesday, 03 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk