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Government Groups Urge Rethink On Disposal Of Low Level Radioactive Waste

2 February 2012

Local Government's Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (NuLeAF) is urging Government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to think again about the strategy that leads to the controversial disposal of lower level nuclear wastes (LLW) in landfill

The strategy, which encourages landfill operators to come forward with sites for disposal of LLW, is deeply unpopular with the public and opposed by the affected local authorities.

In Northamptonshire, after refusal of planning permission to use the landfill site near King's Cliffe site was over-turned by the Secretary of State, campaigners took their battle to the Court of Appeal. Despite determined attempts to block the proposals, disposals of LLW have now started.

In Cumbria, proposals to use two sites for LLW disposal are strongly opposed by Cumbria, Copeland and Allerdale Councils because of concerns that they will blight neighbourhoods and damage the chance of economic development by discouraging non-nuclear investment.

In Lancashire, the county council is opposed to the long-term operation of the landfill site at Clifton Marsh, and to it taking on a regional or national LLW disposal role.

Cumbria county councillor Tim Knowles, who chairs the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum, said: "Landfill disposal of LLW from the nuclear industry is deeply unpopular. We are opposed to the way the commercial waste management sector has been encouraged to bring forward proposals for disposing of low level radioactive wastes away from licensed nuclear sites."

"It is difficult to see how pushing on with this strategy can be reconciled with the NDA's mission, which includes a commitment to deliver publicly acceptable solutions to managing the UK's civil nuclear legacy."

"As the NDA is committed to timely reviews of its strategic positions, we strongly urge it to engage in dialogue with local government to find a better way of securing LLW disposal routes. Working together we think there is a better prospect of finding publicly acceptable sites for disposal of LLW."

Councillor Neil Swannick, Vice Chair of NuLeAF, who also chairs Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, added: "It is ironic that at a time when the Government and the European Union are encouraging local authorities to find alternatives to landfill for their municipal waste, we could see more landfill operators taking LLW from the nuclear industry."