A NEW chairman has been appointed to a group which is tasked with discussing the underground disposal of nuclear waste in Copeland.

Andy Pratt has been appointed as chairman of Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership after Mark Cullinan stepped-down from the interim role at the group’s latest meeting on July 4.

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Mr Pratt, from Holmrook, is a member of Copeland Borough Council’s executive, is married with three children and has run a milk delivery business for the past 21 years.

He said: “On behalf of the Partnership, I’d like to thank Mark for all of his work and guidance on this important project to date.

“I’m passionate about this area, its people and the caring communities we have here. As Chair of the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership I’ll continue to help take forward the conversations which have started about whether Mid Copeland is the right place for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) - what it could mean, listen to questions, discuss concerns and also look at the opportunities.”

A Geological Disposal Facility stores higher activity radioactive waste deep underground and is seen as the safest and most suitable method.

Radioactive Waste Management is searching the UK for a site with suitable geology and a willing community.

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Mr Pratt said: “We’re still in the very early stages of the GDF programme. If a suitable site is found in Copeland – a process which could take 10-15 years – a decision to develop a GDF here could not be taken until the community in the electoral wards directly affected has had a say and taken a positive Test of Public Support.

“This means the residents in the Search Area will make the decision on whether to proceed further and the Community Partnership will ensure that the community has all the relevant information they need along the way.”

The Community Partnership has formed to discuss the potential for an underground nuclear waste facility in the Mid Copeland Search Area, which comprises the electoral wards of Gosforth, Seascale and Beckermet.

A Search Area has also been identified in South Copeland with a separate discussion group set up to discuss the prospect of GDF with residents in the electoral wards of Millom, Black Combe and Scafell.

Mr Pratt is councillor for Gosforth and Seascale at Copeland Council and will be the member representing Millom Without on the new Cumberland Council from April next year.

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