Working with communities: implementing geological disposal
Applies to England and Northern Ireland
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The final policy is published in Implementing geological disposal: working with communities, which updates and replaces the 2014 white paper, Implementing Geological Disposal in England.
This consultation was on behalf of the UK government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published separately a summary of responses from respondents in Northern Ireland.
Future policy decisions in relation to geological disposal in Northern Ireland would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, which is currently suspended. Accordingly, the summary of the responses and consequential final policy decisions referred to in this document, apply solely to England.
The Welsh Government consulted in parallel with the UK government on policy proposals for working with communities as part of a consent-based approach to finding a location for a GDF for higher activity radioactive waste. The Welsh Government will publish its response to the consultation shortly.
Detail of feedback received
We received 118 responses to the consultation from:
- the nuclear industry
- local authorities
- community groups
- trade unions
- members of the public
There was broad support for the consultation proposals, though respondents sought greater clarity and more detail on the process, particularly in respect of the role of local authorities.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation seeks views on how communities should be engaged in a siting process for a Geological Disposal Facility for higher activity radioactive waste.
The proposals build on commitments set out in the 2014 White Paper ‘Implementing Geological Disposal’, in which the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive jointly set out an approach based on working with communities in England and Northern Ireland that are willing to participate in the siting process for a geological disposal facility. They relate to how communities should be engaged, how early community investment could be provided to communities that participate in the siting process, how a right of withdrawal could operate throughout the siting process, and how a test of public support could be carried out before construction and operation of a geological disposal facility.
The policy proposals being consulted on here apply to England and Northern Ireland only but anyone from across the UK can respond.
The Welsh Government is consulting in parallel on its policy for arrangements for engaging with communities in Wales in relation to the development of a geological disposal facility. This is a distinct process reflecting the unique characteristics of a siting process in Wales, including the different planning and local government systems and the Welsh language.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 25 January 2018Last updated 27 June 2019 + show all updates
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Added Stakeholder workshop report following consultations on geological disposal.
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Summary of responses published, and link to policy paper 'Implementing Geological Disposal: Working with Communities' added.
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First published.