Uncertainty over West Cumbria nuclear waste plan continues

Ed Milliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, was expected to make an announcement on plans for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) last week, prior to Parliamentary Recess.

But no decision on the underground nuclear waste facility came, meanwhile, Mr Milliband's department has extended the lifespan of the Sizewell B nuclear reactor to 2055.

Much of the UK's radioactive waste is sent to Sellafield for reprocessing and temporary storage, except for new-build facilities such as Hinkley Point, which store their waste on-site for 100 years.

Ultimately, all of the most hazardous radioactive waste is bound for the GDF.

An artist's impression of how the GDF could look. (Image: Nuclear Waste Services)

Mid Copeland (the Gosforth ward) and South Copeland (the Millom and Millom Without electoral ward) are the two remaining areas in the search for a suitable site.

A report from the developer, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), has informed Mr Milliband that land off the coast of both Search Areas has been identified as containing potentially suitable geology for the GDF.

It is for Mr Milliband to decide on one of the following options: Continue with the current plan which would progress the siting process to deep borehole investigations.

1. Continue with the current plan, drilling deep boreholes in the Irish Sea to explore the geology in more detail.
2. Decide not to proceed with the process.
3. Propose a different way forward.

While Mr Milliband did not give make his expected decision on the GDF before summer recess, his office said: "We are committed to geological disposal for the safe, permanent disposal of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste, underpinning both legacy clean-up and new nuclear build."

While the continuation of existing reactors and the impending launch of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at Moorside make clarity on the GDF more pressing, Mr Milliband's department would not elaborate on when a decision will be made.

It stressed that 94 per cent of UK’s radioactive waste has low radioactivity and can be disposed of safely in existing facilities.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) clarified that spent fuel from Sizewell B is stored on site, pending disposal in a GDF.

David Moore, a nuclear industry professional and Cumberland Council member for Gosforth said: "Clearly it's disappointing, we're now going into another six weeks, we don't believe any announcements will be made during recess, there will be some sort of cabinet reshuffle now before Parliament (resumes)."

Councillor David Moore, a member of the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, as well as Cumberland Council. (Image: Newsquest)

The GDF South Copeland Community Partnership, tasked with discussing the facility with residents in the area, was briefed on Wednesday and told an announcement would not be made before summer recess after all.

Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield was elected Leader of the Labour Party on Friday, making him the successor to Sir Keir Starmer.

As Prime Minister, Mr Burnham will select his cabinet and Mr Milliband is one of the MPs tipped to be Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Councillor Moore believes that the reshuffle, will mean "a new Secretary of State probably having to start from scratch.

"We as a community don't know what's going on but also, the people working for Nuclear Waste Services, they don't know what's happening either, it's disappointing that the uncertainty drags on."