The BEIS Select Committee today published its report on the Draft National Policy Statement for Geological Disposal Infrastructure.
The Committee conclude that the Draft National Policy Statement is fit for purpose and contains adequate guidance and details needed for the developer, the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State to put forward and make recommendations on development consent orders. Subject to some caveats (below) the Committee support the case that the final NPS be brought before Parliament for approval.
The report focuses on four issues that were raised during the inquiry and addressed in the evidence session on 10 July.
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Committee decided against adding an exclusionary criterion for National Parks and AONBs as they conclude that safety should prevail over environmental concerns and believe that existing planning legislation and the NPS contain sufficient safeguards against intrusive developments and environmental damage in National Parks and AONBs. The report does agree however that major developments should not be allowed in designated areas except under exceptional circumstances.
disposal of waste (in the GDF) from new nuclear build
The Committee conclude that any long-term waste management strategy should include waste from new nuclear as all waste generated from nuclear should be disposed of safely. Nevertheless, the Government must clarify in the NPS the level of uncertainty regarding the inventory of radioactive wastes and materials to be stored in the GDF, especially regarding levels of radioactivity of new nuclear waste.
the place of local community consent in the NPS
The Committee supports the Government’s decision to keep the community consent process separate from the NPS but we recommend that the Government should clarify the hierarchy between development consent orders and community consent in the NPS in a way that is accessible to a lay audience so as to promote engagement by prospective communities.
how the NPS is linked to the Industrial Strategy to deliver socioeconomic benefits
The Committee finds the link between the NPS and the Industrial Strategy to be spurious and the emphasis on socioeconomic benefits to the host community insufficient. In order to be consistent with the Industrial Strategy, the Government should ensure that the NPS places stronger requirements on the developer to establish robust local skills partnerships with the host community and to rely on local employment and sourcing opportunities. The Secretary of State should also favour developments that demonstrate they can deliver strong socioeconomic to host communities.
The report concludes that overall, and with the caveats outlined above, the Committee is satisfied that the NPS provides the right level of guidance to the decision-maker on the type of geological disposal infrastructure that will be suitable for England’s legacy and future higher activity radioactive waste. Provided that the Government takes into account the recommendations, the Committee supports the case for the final NPS to be brought forward and approved by Parliament.