Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership would like to know what matters to people living in Gosforth electoral ward by gathering a wide range of views and ideas from across the community.
The Partnership is reaching out as part of its activities around the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme to give people an opportunity to get involved in creating a community vision by considering what is important to them.
Developing a community vision starts with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and the Community Partnership reviewing existing parish and community plans, to understand key themes that have been previously identified in the areas.
This information will be used to engage with people, helping to spark further ideas and conversation about the future of their community.
Community visioning forums are being held for people to get involved. If you live in the electoral ward, please register in advance by going to: midcopelandcommunityvisioningforums.gdfevents.co.uk and choose one of the four events – or you can also turn up on the day:
- Wednesday, Sept 18, 9-11am: Gosforth Public Hall
- Wednesday, Sept 18, 2-4pm: Bailey Ground Hotel, Seascale
- Thursday, Sept 19, 10am-12noon: Beckermet Reading Rooms
- Thursday, Sept 19, 2-4pm: Thornhill Social Club
Andy Pratt, Chair of Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership, said:
“We would like to hear a range of opinions and views as part of this visioning work. The relaxed and informal sessions will explore what you would like to see in the near and long term. We’ve also been working with local groups of young people to get their ideas.
“A vision could include things that residents aspire to, there may also be areas they don’t want to change – come along to a forum and share what matters to you to help shape the future of our community should a GDF be hosted in Mid Copeland.”
NWS will work with the Community Partnership to identify a community vision and what this might mean for the Significant Additional Investment package that will be made available to the community that hosts a GDF.
This investment would enhance the economic benefits that are inherent in hosting a nationally significant infrastructure project and recognise the commitment being made by the community. It could include improved local education and skills capacity, enhanced transport infrastructure, or improved recreational facilities.
For the community that is chosen to host a GDF, this significant additional investment would be in addition to the investment and jobs that a major infrastructure project of this kind will bring to an area.
A GDF is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste.
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.
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.