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 and we’re pleased to be joined by people already benefiting from funding to talk about their projects and the difference it’s made to their community.
There will also be a chance to meet other local funders, including representatives of Cumberland Council, Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS); Action for Communities in Cumbria (ACT), Copeland Citizen’s Advice and Nuclear Waste Services.
The event takes place on Thursday, November 20, in Beckermet Reading Rooms, 11am-3pm.
Community Partnership Chair, Andy Pratt, said: “We’ve awarded over £3.5million in GDF funding so far to a huge variety of projects and organisations in the local community. We can see first-hand what that means in the community and the difference it’s making.
“The funding has been used to benefit everything from lifesaving services, play areas and sports facilities to community events, youth projects, as well as enhancing health and wellbeing.
“We’ll soon be at the start of our fifth year, so we’re encouraging people to come along to this event in Beckermet and see how their organisation could benefit. There’ll be a chance to take a look at the application process and also speak to those who have benefited from funding over previous years.”
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.
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.