A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) is a facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste in highly engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground.
The GDF programme requires NWS to find both a suitable site and a willing community and is still in the early stages.
GDFs are internationally recognised by governments, technical experts and scientists as the best solution for the safe, permanent disposal of our most radioactive waste.
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is the developer of a GDF and, as part of its process to evaluate the three Community Partnership Search Areas in Mid Copeland and South Copeland in Cumbria and Theddlethorpe, in Lincolnshire, will gather data to understand if an area could be suitable to host a GDF.
NWS will evaluate each potential site, through its site evaluation process, to establish its suitability based on six siting factors: safety and security, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport, and value for money.
Detailed studies and investigations will be conducted over a number of years to help ensure a GDF can be constructed, operated, and closed safely and securely. An overview of that GDF journey has been put together by NWS in this short video:
How NWS will identify a preferred site
Due to the complex nature of the siting process, NWS is many years away from being able to confirm the suitability of any potential site.
Ongoing evaluation will inform NWS’ decisions on the places where it will undertake site characterisation work. This includes drilling boreholes to better understand the geology deep below the surface, where the underground part of a GDF would be built.
Its decision on the site(s) to take forward for site characterisation will be considered by the Secretary of State.
NWS has started its work on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for the drilling of boreholes over 150m deep. A DCO application is the means of obtaining planning permission for developments categorised as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
NWS will engage and consult widely on the evolving information within the DCO application as it’s taken forward and eventually an examination in public will be held, as part of the Planning Inspectorate process.
It’s important that everyone involved and interested is able to see the information, ask questions and have an opportunity to have their say on the proposals.
In parallel, NWS will also work with the Environment Agency, one of its regulators, as it will consult with the public on environmental permits required for the work. Only once NWS has all the necessary permissions and consents, can this site characterisation work begin.
Simon Hughes, NWS’ Siting and Communities Director, said:
“As information from site characterisation becomes available, along with results from research and development activities, our technical understanding increases. This will allow us to develop a design and safety case which is suitable for a particular site.”
A second DCO application will be required – this time for the site itself. Before this is submitted, it will be necessary to carry out a Test of Public Support (ToPS) in the potential host community for a preferred GDF site. Relevant principal local authorities on a Community Partnership will have the final say on if, or when, to take this test.
If residents of the potential host community do not return a positive ToPS then the project cannot progress in that location. A positive test would mean NWS could then take its decision to the UK government to seek approval from the Secretary of State to progress with a DCO application for its preferred site.
This process to identify a preferred site is expected to take 10-15 years, while building, operating and closing the facility would take 150 years or more.
The siting factors and why they are important in finding a suitable site.
NWS will evaluate each potential site to establish whether it’s suitable, based on six siting factors:
Safety and Security
If NWS cannot demonstrate that a site will be safe and secure during its construction and operation, the GDF will not be built. The geology must be suitable to support the Safety Case after it has been closed, and the facility must satisfy the UK’s strict safety and security standards.
Community
Through engagement, research and assessment, NWS will seek to ensure that the social and economic impact of a GDF will benefit the community.
Environment
The delivery of a GDF will represent one of the largest environmental protection projects in the UK. To successfully deliver a GDF, NWS will need to assess the impact on the natural and historic environment, protected habitats and species.
Engineering feasibility
The geology of an area will significantly influence whether and how a GDF can be designed, constructed and operated safely during its operation and closure. NWS will assess if the design, construction and operation of a GDF at a specific location is feasible.
Transport
To build and operate a GDF, NWS will need to be able to transport waste and construction materials safely and securely.
Value for money
A GDF will be built where it represents good value for money for the taxpayer over the long term.