A drop-in event is being held for people to see how their organisation could apply for Community Investment Funding through Nuclear Waste Services’ Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme.
The Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership is inviting people to find out more about the funding. We are also pleased to be joined by people already benefiting from funding to talk about their projects and the difference to their community. There will also be a chance to meet other local funders, including representatives of Cumberland Council and Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).
The event takes place on Thursday, March 27, Gosforth Public Hall, 11am-3pm.
Community Partnership Chair, Andy Pratt, said: “Awarding £3million over the past three years to local projects has brought new facilities and enhanced services to this area.
“This funding, and the hard work of the local community involved in bringing these projects to life, is making a real difference.
“Now we’re into our fourth year and we want people to come along and learn how their organisation may also be able to apply for this funding and see what can be achieved. There’ll be a chance to take a look at the application process and also speak to those who have made things happen.”
The Mid Copeland GDF Search Area covers the electoral ward of Gosforth which includes Seascale, Gosforth, Beckermet, Calderbridge, Haile, Thornhill, Nethertown and Braystones. The Lake District National Park is excluded from consideration – however Community Investment Funding can be used for eligible community projects benefiting this area.
Up to £1m of funding is available annually per community, rising to up to £2.5m if deep borehole investigations take place in a community to assess the geological suitability of a site.
A GDF is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste.
Deep geology beyond the coast is being considered for siting the underground elements of a GDF in Mid Copeland. This means a surface facility on, or near, the coast would provide access to a disposal area deep in rock beyond the coast.
The GDF programme requires both a suitable site and a willing community and is still in the early stages. Construction will only start on a GDF when a suitable site is identified, a Potential Host Community has confirmed its willingness to host the facility through a Test of Public Support, and all the necessary consents and permits have been obtained. These steps could take around 15 years.