Today it has been announced that a GDF Working Group has been formed in Copeland, West Cumbria, to start local engagement on whether Copeland could be a suitable location to host a GDF for the UK’s higher activity wastes. In line with Government policy, this is the first stage of the siting process and enables the start of a conversation within the community and with the developer Radioactive Waste Management (RWM).

The Working Group will engage with citizens across the community to begin to understand their views and to to identify and propose a Search Area for consideration by RWM. The remit of the Working Group also covers the recruitment of the Partnership that will ultimately progress the initiative with RWM.

So far the Working Group comprises representatives from three “Interested Parties”, an independent Chair (Mike Cullinan) , independent facilitator, Copeland Borough Council and RWM. The Interested Parties are not named in the Working Group’s launch press release but are described on the RWM web story as individuals and organisations who initially asked RWM to consider whether a GDF could be located in the area.

The establishment of the Working Group represents a major milestone in this the latest attempt to find a site for a GDF for the UK’s inventory of higher activity wastes. I for one wish the initiative well and will be watching progress with interest. I also hope that progress here will encourage other communities to likewise start GDF siting conversations.